judicial review

Noun

judicial review (plural judicial reviews)

1. (uncountable) The doctrine, implemented in varying ways in differing jurisdictions, that authorities within the judicial branch of government may examine and make rulings on the legal validity of decisions and actions of the legislative and executive branches of government and, in some jurisdictions, of others within the judicial branch itself.
   • Since it appears that judicial review is here to stay, some who remain troubled by it urge that at the very least the enterprise of judges deciding constitutional questions should be limited to discovering the intent of the Framers.1987 January 2, Irving R. Kaufman, “Opinion: No Way to Interpret the Constitution”, in New York Times, retrieved 24 Oct 2013

   Synonyms:

   JR

2. (countable) A judicial process undertaken under this doctrine.
   • [T]he senate committee on interstate commerce adjourned until next Thursday without having taken a vote on the bill or considered an amendment for a judicial review of the orders of the interstate commerce commission.1906 February 17, “Senate Shied at Rate Vote”, in Lewiston Morning Tribune, Idaho, USA, retrieved 24 Oct 2013, page 1
   • After one of Britain's most politically sensitive judicial reviews, a three-judge court today upheld the convictions of six men for the murder of 21 people in the bombing of a Birmingham pub in 1974.1988 January 29, Steve Lohr, “British Back Guilt of 6, Upsetting Irish”, in New York Times, retrieved 24 Oct 2013