The case of Marbury v. Madison in 1803 was a landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. It arose when William Marbury sued Secretary of State James Madison for failing to deliver his commission as a justice of the peace. The Court, led by Chief Justice John Marshall, ruled that while Marbury had a right to his commission, the Court did not have the authority to issue a writ of mandamus under the Judiciary Act of 1789. This case established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare laws or actions by Congress and the President unconstitutional. This power significantly strengthened the role of the judiciary in the American government, ensuring a system of checks and balances among the three branches.