Judicial review facts for kids
Judicial review is a very important power that courts have. It lets them check if a law or a decision made by the government follows the country's constitution. If a law or decision does not follow the constitution, the court can say it is invalid. This means the law or decision cannot be used.
This power helps make sure that the government stays within its rules. It also protects the rights of people.
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What is Judicial Review?
Judicial review is when a court looks at a law or an action by the government. The court decides if that law or action is allowed by the country's main set of rules, called the constitution. Think of the constitution as the highest rulebook for a country.
If a court finds that a law or action goes against the constitution, it can declare it "unconstitutional." This means the law or action is not valid and cannot be enforced. This power helps keep the government in check. It also makes sure that everyone, including the government, follows the basic laws of the land.
How Judicial Review Started in the U.S.
In the United States, the power of judicial review was officially set up a long time ago. It happened in a famous case in 1803 called Marbury v. Madison. The Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the U.S., made this decision.
Before this case, it wasn't clear if courts had the power to strike down laws. The Marbury v. Madison case made it clear that they do. This was a big step for the power of the courts in the U.S. It gave them a key role in making sure laws are fair and follow the constitution.
Where Else is Judicial Review Used?
Many countries around the world use judicial review. It is a common way to protect the constitution and people's rights. Some of these countries include:
In these countries, courts play a vital role. They act as guardians of the constitution. They make sure that government actions do not go too far.
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Images for kids
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The High Court of Australia. The courts can review and overturn laws or actions that do not follow the country's constitution.
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