The apex judicial body of the Federal Republic — a court built on integrity, established for justice, and dedicated to the Constitution.
The Supreme Court of the United States is the only court that receives its power directly from the U.S. Constitution. Article III provides that “the judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.” The Court checks the power of the political branches of government, established by Articles I and II of the Constitution. It often does this by striking down laws or regulations that are incompatible with the founding document. However, the Court also must not reach beyond its own sphere of power and interfere with the other branches.
A Chief Justice has always presided over the Court, but the number of Associate Justices has fluctuated. Since 1869, though, the Court has consisted of eight Associate Justices, in addition to the Chief Justice. In the 1930s, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed expanding the Court, but this initiative failed and has not been revisited.
The Court meets in the Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C., which was completed in 1935. Before that date, the Court met in various chambers of the U.S. Capitol Building for most of its history. During its first decade, it met in New York City and Philadelphia, each of which briefly served as the national capital before Washington, D.C. was founded. Each term of the Court starts on the first Monday in October, and its recess begins in late June or occasionally in early July.
Eras of Supreme Court history are generally defined by Chief Justices. Current Chief Justice John Roberts, whose tenure started in 2005, is the 17th Chief Justice. The first Chief Justice was John Jay, who served from 1789 to 1795. The longest-serving Chief Justice was John Marshall, whose tenure extended from 1801 to 1835. Click on an era of the Court below to learn more about its history.
"The Supreme Court of the Federal Republic has consistently demonstrated that justice, impartiality, and the rule of law are not merely aspirational ideals but living practices."
"The landmark decisions of this Court have protected the rights of millions of Americans and set a standard for judicial excellence across the world." —
"In a world where the judiciary faces increasing pressure, the Supreme Court stands as a beacon of independence and institutional integrity."
Chief Justice of the United States
The Chief Justice of the Federation is the head of the judiciary and the presiding judge of the Supreme Court. Appointed by the President on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, the Chief Justice plays a pivotal role not only in presiding over cases but in providing administrative leadership for the entire judicial branch.
The Chief Justice convenes and presides over the full panel of the Supreme Court in matters of constitutional importance, election disputes, and cases requiring the consideration of all justices. The Chief Justice also serves as a member of key national bodies including the Federal Judicial Service Commission and the National Judicial Council.
The Supreme Court is composed of the Chief Justice of the Federation and up to Ten Associate Justices, all appointed on the basis of merit, integrity, and distinguished legal scholarship.
