One of the most important cases in the history of the United States Supreme Court, the Marbury versus Madison was fought in the year 1803. The second president of the United States John Adams had appointed William Marbury as a Supreme Court judge just few days before leaving the presidential office.

According to the Judiciary Act that Congress had passed in the year 1789, this was a legal action on behalf of the president nevertheless the Secretary of State at that time James Madison refused to accept William Marbury on the position of a Supreme Court judge. William Marbury, in response, took his case to the Supreme Court. The United States Supreme Court gave the decision in the favor of James Madison declaring the Judiciary Act of 1789 as unconstitutional.

As a result, William Marbury was not empowered to hold office as the Judiciary Act of 1789, which was the basis of his appointment was declared unconstitutional. The ruling of this case was given by John Marshall who was the chief justice of the United States during that period.