judicial review

noun

1

: review sense 5

2

: a constitutional doctrine that gives to a court system the power to annul legislative or executive acts which the judges declare to be unconstitutional

Examples of judicial review in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Consequently, the most important check on executive power is judicial review, which the government’s plan would effectively end. —Eliav Lieblich, Foreign Affairs, 8 Feb. 2023

Jackson established that a state can effectively immunize an unconstitutional law from federal judicial review simply by using bounty hunters to enforce it. —Ian Millhiser, Vox, 15 Aug. 2024

After the 2021 Supreme Court ruling, Stuff quoted Victoria University law professor Geoff McLay as saying that judicial review of an extradition decision by the justice minister would likely involve hearings before the New Zealand High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. —Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 15 Aug. 2024

For the first time in the United Kingdom’s history, warrants to intercept communications are subject to judicial review; previously, the executive branch could execute these on its own say-so. —Jennifer Daskal, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Legal Definition

judicial review

noun

1

: review

2

: a constitutional doctrine that gives to a court system the power to annul legislative or executive acts which the judges declare to be unconstitutional

also : the process of using this power see also checks and balances, Marbury v. Madison