Marbury v. Madison

Court establishes power

Marbury v.

Madison is a landmark 1803 U.S.

Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review—the power of federal courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

Chief Justice John Marshall's ruling held that the Constitution is supreme law and that courts must refuse to enforce any statute that conflicts with it.

The case arose from a dispute over judicial appointments but its lasting significance lies in fundamentally shaping the balance of power among the three branches of American government.

Opposites
judicial power and review

Marbury v. Madisonjudicial restraint

Courts avoiding activist rulings

departmentalism

source of constitutional authority

Marbury v. Madisonconstitutional amendment

Formal change to founding law

executive order · Articles of Confederation · parliamentary procedure

constitutional interpretation philosophy

Marbury v. Madisondepartmentalism

Excessive unit loyalty

nullification

Family

Madison

Familiarity
Top 1,000,000
Profile
Mostly American · Timeless · Rated G