---
title: "Marbury v. Madison: Judicial Review Established"
description: "Marbury v. Madison (1803) is the Supreme Court case that established judicial review, a key power for courts in the U.S. legal system."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/marbury-v-madison"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Marbury v.
- Madison (1803) is the U.
- What constitutional principle did Marbury v. Madison establish?
- Which statute and constitutional article were in conflict in the case?
- Why did Marbury lose despite the Court finding he had a right to his commission?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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Example

In 1803, Chief Justice John Marshall held in Marbury v. Madison that the Supreme Court could not compel Secretary of State James Madison to deliver William Marbury's commission, establishing judicial review.

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[Separation Of Powers Checks And Balances](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/fsot-us-government-separation-of-powers-checks-and-balances)[The Supreme Court Judicial Review](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/fsot-us-government-the-supreme-court-judicial-review)

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