 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (June 2011) |
| Stuart v. Laird | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Argued February 23–24, 1803 Decided March 2, 1803 | |
| Full case name | Hugh Stuart v. John Laird |
| Citations | 5 U.S. 299 (more) |
| Case history | |
| Prior | Error from the 5th circuit in the Virginia district |
| Court membership | |
| |
| Case opinion | |
| Majority | Paterson, joined by Cushing, Chase, Washington, Moore |
| Marshall took no part in the consideration or decision of the case. | |
Stuart v. Laird, 5 U.S. (1 Cranch) 299 (1803), was a case decided by United States Supreme Court notably a week after its famous decision in Marbury v. Madison.
Stuart dealt with a judgment of a circuit judge whose position had been abolished by the repeal of the Judiciary Act of 1801. Stuart's lawyer was Charles Lee, who also represented William Marbury. John Laird asked the Supreme Court to uphold the judge's ruling. Stuart's team argued that only the court rendering a judgment could enforce it and that the Judiciary Act of 1802 had been unconstitutional, to which Stuart lost on both accounts. The Court reviewed and upheld the Judiciary Act of 1802 and averted a dangerous showdown between the legislative and the judicial branches of the United States government.