Audi alteram partem
hear the other side
Where the phrase comes from
The hearing limb of natural justice. Before a decision that affects a person, that person gets notice of the case against them and a chance to answer.
What lawyers are pointing at
The rule is about the hearing, not about who must win. Notice has to be real: the substance of the allegation, in time to answer. A hearing that hides the evidence and then says the person was 'heard' because they were in the room fails the rule. The content of the duty scales with what is at stake. It is not a promise of a particular result.
The same shape in code
A ban, a revoked key, or a rejected payout that never shows the log is a decision without a hearing. Put the evidence in the notice: the request id, the time, and the rule that was applied. Then take the answer. A form that only says 'denied' is the closed door.
A concrete picture
A school wants to expel a student. The rule requires the allegation and the chance to reply before the expulsion, not a letter that arrives afterwards.