What does the term "judicial review" refer to?

Judicial review refers to the authority of courts to evaluate the constitutional validity of laws and governmental actions. This fundamental principle allows the judiciary to interpret the Constitution and ensure that actions by the legislative and executive branches do not violate constitutional provisions. When courts exercise judicial review, they can invalidate laws or executive actions that are deemed unconstitutional, thus acting as a check on the powers of the other branches of government. This principle is a cornerstone of the rule of law and safeguards individual rights by ensuring that all legislation and actions remain within the framework established by the Constitution.