- substantial evidence rule
- Such evidence that a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion. It is that quality of evidence necessary for a court to affirm a decision of an administrative board. Under the "substantial evidence rule," reviewing courts will defer to an agency determination so long as, upon an examination of the whole record, there is substantial evidence upon which the agency could reasonably base its decision. Marshall v. Consumers Power Co., 65 Mich. App. 237, 237 N.W.2d 266, 280.Substantial evidence is evidence possessing something of substance and relevant consequence and which furnishes substantial basis of fact from which issues tendered can be reasonably resolved. State v. Green, 218 Kan. 438, 544 P.2d 356, 362.Evidence which a reasoning mind would accept as sufficient to support a particular conclusion and consists of more than a mere scintilla of evidence but may be somewhat less than a preponderance. Marker v. Finch, D.C.Del., 322 F.Supp. 905, 910.For purposes of considering sufficiency of evidence in criminal case, "substantial evidence" means evidence from which trier of fact reasonably could find issue in harmony therewith. Kansas City v. Stamper, Mo.App., 528 S.W.2d 767, 768.Under the substantial evidence rule, as applied in administrative proceedings, all evidence is competent and may be considered, regardless of its source and nature, if it is the kind of evidence that a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion. In other words, the competency of evidence for purposes of administrative agency adjudicatory proceedings is made to rest upon the logical persuasiveness of such evidence to the reasonable mind in using it to support a conclusion. It is more than a mere scintilla and means such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion. Chrysler Corp. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, C.A., 631 F.2d 865, 890, 203 U.S.App.D.C. 283.See also whole record test
Black's law dictionary. HENRY CAMPBELL BLACK, M. A.. 1990.