Constitutional Law
Case Brief

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[LAW FIRM OR LAW SCHOOL NAME]

I. Case Name

Marbury v. Madison

II. Citation

5 U.S. (1 Cranch) 137 (1803)

III. Facts

1. In 1801, President John Adams appointed William Marbury as a justice of the peace for the District of Columbia.

2. However, Marbury's commission was not delivered before Adams' term ended, and the new Secretary of State, James Madison, refused to deliver it.

3. Marbury then petitioned the Supreme Court for a writ of mandamus to compel Madison to deliver the commission.

IV. Issue

Whether Marbury was entitled to his commission and whether the Supreme Court had the authority to issue a writ of mandamus.

V. Holding

Chief Justice John Marshall held that Marbury was entitled to his commission, as the appointment was complete once the President signed it and the seal was affixed, regardless of whether it was delivered.

However, the Court lacked the authority to issue a writ of mandamus to compel Madison to deliver the commission, as the Judiciary Act of 1789, which granted such authority, was unconstitutional.

VI. Reasoning

Marshall reasoned that Section 13 of the Judiciary Act of 1789, which purported to grant the Supreme Court original jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus, was inconsistent with Article III of the Constitution. He asserted that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and any law contrary to it is void.

Additionally, Marshall established the principle of judicial review, declaring that it is the duty of the judiciary to interpret the Constitution and determine the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress.

VII. Significance

Marbury v. Madison is a landmark case that established the principle of judicial review, affirming the Supreme Court's authority to review the constitutionality of acts of Congress and strike down those that are unconstitutional.

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