Marbury v. Madison was a 1803 Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review, granting the Court the power to invalidate legislative acts found to be unconstitutional. The case arose when William Marbury sued Secretary of State James Madison to deliver his official judicial commission documents. While the Court found Marbury was entitled to the documents, it ruled the provision of law allowing Marbury to directly petition the Supreme Court was unconstitutional, establishing the Court's ability to determine the constitutionality of laws.