What is the significance of "judicial review"?

Judicial review holds significant importance as it empowers courts to assess the compliance of laws with the Constitution. This process allows the judiciary to interpret constitutional provisions and determine whether legislative or executive actions align with constitutional mandates. As a result, judicial review acts as a critical check on the other branches of government, ensuring that any laws or actions that violate constitutional principles can be invalidated.

Through judicial review, courts serve as guardians of the Constitution, reinforcing the rule of law and protecting individual rights against potential governmental overreach. This role is essential for maintaining a balanced system of governance where no branch has unchecked power, thereby promoting accountability and justice within the legal framework.

The other options pertain to various functions of the legal system but do not encapsulate the essence of judicial review. For example, while courts may develop case law through judicial interpretation, that does not equate to law creation in the legislative sense. Additionally, assessing executive agency actions or maintaining order in civil cases are distinct roles that do not focus on the constitutional compliance aspect, which is central to the concept of judicial review.