Which of the following strengthen the power of the Supreme Court against the executive and the legislature?

1. Analyze the question The question asks which power or process lets the Supreme Court check the executive and the legislature, which makes it stronger than those two arms.

2. Explain the concept Under the principle of separation of powers and checks and balances, each arm of government can limit the others. The judiciary's main tool for this is judicial review. This is the power of the courts to examine laws passed by the legislature and actions taken by the executive. If they violate the constitution, the court can declare them null and void (unconstitutional).

3. Examine each option

• A. Judicial precedent: Judges follow earlier decisions in similar cases. It promotes consistency in the law but gives no power over the other arms.
• B. Judicial review: The court can invalidate laws and executive actions that contravene the constitution. It directly strengthens the court against the executive and legislature.
• C. Court injunction: A court order to do or stop doing something. It is mostly used in disputes between parties. It can restrain an official, but it is a remedy, not the main constitutional source of the court's power over the other arms.
• D. Oath swearing: A formal promise to be truthful or faithful in office. It has no bearing on the court's power over other arms.

4. Answer The correct option is B. Judicial review.

5. Exam tip Link keywords to concepts:

• Judicial review → "checking" other arms → constitutionality
• Judicial precedent → "following past cases" → consistency

When a question mentions the judiciary's power against the executive or legislature, think "judicial review."