judicial review

noun

the power of a court to adjudicate the constitutionality of the laws of a government or the acts of a government official.

Origin of judicial review

First recorded in 1920–25

Words nearby judicial review

judicial activism, judicial branch, judicial committee of the privy council, judicial conference, judicial restraint, judicial review, judicial separation, judiciary, judicious, judith, judo

Cultural definitions for judicial review

judicial review

The principle by which courts can declare acts of either the executive branch or the legislative branch unconstitutional. The Supreme Court has exercised this power, for example, to revoke state laws that denied civil rights guaranteed by the Constitution. (See also checks and balances.)