Editing Judiciary (section)

== Meaning ==
The judiciary is the system of [[courts]] that interprets, defends, and applies the [[law]] in the name of the [[State (polity)|state]]. The judiciary can also be thought of as the mechanism for the resolution of disputes. Under the doctrine of the [[separation of powers]], the judiciary generally does not make [[statutory law]] (which is the responsibility of the [[legislature]]) or enforce law (which is the responsibility of the [[Executive (government)|executive]]), but rather interprets, defends, and applies the law to the facts of each case. However, in some countries the judiciary does make [[common law]].

In many [[jurisdiction]]s the judicial branch has the power to change laws through the process of [[judicial review]]. Courts with judicial review power may annul the laws and rules of the state when it finds them incompatible with a higher norm, such as [[Primary and secondary legislation|primary legislation]], the provisions of the [[constitution]], [[Treaty|treaties]] or [[international law]]. Judges constitute a critical force for interpretation and implementation of a constitution, thus in [[common law]] countries creating the body of constitutional law.