Why was writ of mandamus unconstitutional?
In respect to this, what is a writ of mandamus and how did it violate the Constitution?
The Judiciary Act of 1789 gave the Supreme Court original jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus (legal orders compelling government officials to act in accordance with the law). In subsequent cases, the Court also established its authority to strike down state laws found to be in violation of the Constitution.
In this way, why was Judiciary Act of 1789 unconstitutional?
In Marbury v. Madison, one of the seminal cases in American law, the Supreme Court held that was unconstitutional because it purported to enlarge the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court beyond that permitted by the Constitution.
Marbury sued Madison in the Supreme Court to get his commission via a writ of mandamus. On a broader scale, this case established that the Supreme Court had the authority, under the Supremacy Clause and Article III, § 2 of the Constitution, to review legislative or executive acts and find them unconstitutional.