
The U.S. Supreme Court is the only court that is listed in the U.S. Constitution. Article III of the Constitution establishes the judicial branch as one of the three separate and distinct branches of the federal government. The judicial power of the United States is vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states, and appellate jurisdiction over almost all other cases involving constitutional or federal law. The Court also has the power of judicial review, or the ability to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution.
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What You'll Learn
- The Supreme Court is the only federal court established by the Constitution
- The Constitution permits Congress to decide how to organise the Supreme Court
- The Supreme Court has original and appellate jurisdiction
- The Supreme Court has the power of judicial review
- The Supreme Court justices are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate

The Supreme Court is the only federal court established by the Constitution
The United States Supreme Court is the highest court in the country. It is the only federal court that was established by the U.S. Constitution. The Supreme Court was created by Article III of the Constitution, which outlines the judicial branch as one of the three distinct branches of the federal government. The other two branches are the legislative and executive branches.
Article III, Section I of the Constitution states that "The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish." This means that while the Constitution established the Supreme Court, it gave Congress the power to decide how to organise it and to create lower federal courts.
Congress first used this power in the Judiciary Act of 1789, which created a Supreme Court with six justices and established the lower federal court system. Over the years, Congress has altered the number of seats on the Supreme Court through various Acts, with the number of justices ranging from five to ten. After the Civil War, the number of seats was fixed at nine, where it remains today.
The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states or cases involving ambassadors and other public ministers. It also has appellate jurisdiction, meaning it can hear cases on appeal that involve constitutional or federal law. The Court's most well-known power is judicial review, or the ability to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution. This power was established in the case of Marbury v. Madison in 1803.
The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in the constitutional system of government. As the highest court in the land, it is the court of last resort for those seeking justice. Its power of judicial review ensures that each branch of government recognises its own limits and that Constitutional rights are upheld.
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The Constitution permits Congress to decide how to organise the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States, and it was established by Article III of the U.S. Constitution. Article III, Section I states that "The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish." This means that while the Constitution establishes the Supreme Court, it gives Congress the power to decide how to organise it and the wider federal judiciary.
Congress first exercised this power in the Judiciary Act of 1789, which created a Supreme Court with six justices and established the lower federal court system. Over the years, various Acts of Congress have altered the number of seats on the Supreme Court, from a low of five to a high of 10. After the Civil War, the number of seats was fixed at nine, where it remains today. The Supreme Court consists of one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices, all of whom are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
Article III, Section II of the Constitution establishes the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, or its legal ability to hear a case. The Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states and cases involving ambassadors and other public ministers. It has appellate jurisdiction over almost any other case that involves a point of constitutional and/or federal law. In these cases, the Supreme Court has the authority to review the decisions of lower courts.
The Supreme Court's power of judicial review means it can declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution. This power was established in the case of Marbury v. Madison in 1803, when the Court held that an Act of Congress contrary to the Constitution could not stand. The Supreme Court also has the authority to strike down state laws found to be in violation of the Constitution. This power was established after the passage of the Fourteenth Amendment in 1869, which extended the provisions of the Bill of Rights to the states.
The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in the constitutional system of government. It acts as a check on the other branches of government, ensuring that they recognise the limits of their power. The Court also protects civil rights and liberties by striking down unconstitutional laws and setting limits on democratic government.
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The Supreme Court has original and appellate jurisdiction
The Supreme Court is the only court established by the U.S. Constitution, in Article III, which also authorizes Congress to pass laws establishing a system of lower courts. The Constitution does not specify the size of the Supreme Court or the positions of its members, but it does outline the Court's jurisdiction.
The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction (the legal ability to be the first to hear a case) in certain cases. This includes suits between two or more states, and cases involving ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls. The Judiciary Act of 1789 gave the Supreme Court original jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus (legal orders compelling government officials to act in accordance with the law).
The Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction (the ability to hear a case on appeal) in almost any other case that involves a point of constitutional and/or federal law. The U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in the land, and it is the court of last resort for those seeking justice. There are 13 appellate courts that sit below the U.S. Supreme Court, known as the U.S. Courts of Appeals.
The Supreme Court's power and prestige grew substantially during the Marshall Court (1801-1835). In 1803, the Court established its power of judicial review in the case of Marbury v. Madison, where it decided that an Act of Congress that is contrary to the Constitution could not stand. This power of judicial review means that the Court has the final say on whether a right is protected by the Constitution or when a Constitutional right is violated. It also plays a crucial role in ensuring that each branch of government recognizes the limits of its power.
Justices of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. They typically hold office for life, and their salaries cannot be decreased during their term of office. These restrictions are meant to protect the independence of the judiciary from political interference.
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The Supreme Court has the power of judicial review
The Supreme Court is the only court established by the U.S. Constitution. Article III of the Constitution, also known as the Vesting Clause, establishes the federal judiciary and outlines the structure of the Supreme Court. It states that the "judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish."
While the Constitution establishes the Supreme Court, it does not specify the exact powers or prerogatives of the Court. Instead, it authorizes Congress to pass laws and establish a system of lower courts. Congress first exercised this power in the Judiciary Act of 1789, which created a Supreme Court with six justices and established the lower federal court system.
The power of judicial review is essential for ensuring that each branch of the government recognizes its limits. The Supreme Court, as the highest court in the land, has the final say on whether a right is protected by the Constitution or when a Constitutional right has been violated. It has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states or cases involving ambassadors, and appellate jurisdiction on almost any other case involving constitutional or federal law.
The Supreme Court consists of nine members: one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. These justices are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, typically serving for life. The salaries of the justices cannot be decreased during their term of office, and they can only be removed from office by Congress via the impeachment process.
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The Supreme Court justices are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. It was established by Article III of the U.S. Constitution, which vests federal judicial power in "one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish." The Constitution does not specify the size of the Supreme Court or the positions of its members, but it does outline the Court's jurisdiction.
The Supreme Court consists of nine members: one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. These justices are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. They typically hold office for life, and their salaries cannot be decreased during their term of office. These restrictions are designed to protect the independence of the judiciary from political interference.
The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states and cases involving ambassadors and other public ministers. It also has appellate jurisdiction, allowing it to hear almost any case on appeal that involves a point of constitutional or federal law. The Court's power of judicial review, established in Marbury v. Madison (1803), allows it to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution.
The process of appointing Supreme Court justices is an important aspect of the U.S. political system. The President's power to appoint justices is a significant responsibility, as it allows them to shape the composition of the Court. The Senate's role in confirming these appointments provides a check on this power and ensures a degree of consensus in the selection of justices.
Throughout history, various Acts of Congress have altered the number of seats on the Supreme Court, ranging from five to ten. Since the Civil War, the number has been fixed at nine. The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in interpreting and safeguarding the Constitution, ensuring that each branch of government respects its limits.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution only lists one court, the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States.
The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, for example, suits between two or more states or cases involving ambassadors. It also has appellate jurisdiction over almost any other case that involves a point of constitutional and/or federal law.
The Supreme Court consists of nine members: one chief justice and eight associate justices.
Article III, Section I of the Constitution establishes the federal judiciary and states that "The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish."





















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