1. Original vs.

Appellate Jurisdiction: Original jurisdiction involves a court's

authority to hear a case for the first time, while appellate jurisdiction deals with
reviewing decisions made by lower courts on appeal.
2. Hamilton's Endorsement of Life Tenure (Federalist No. 78): Hamilton supported
life tenure for federal judges in Federalist No. 78 to ensure their independence
from political influence or pressure, allowing them to make impartial judgments
without fear of losing their positions.
3. Hamilton's View on the Least Dangerous Branch (Federalist No. 78): Hamilton
believed the Judicial Branch was the least dangerous because it lacked the power
of the purse (like Congress) or the power of the sword (like the Executive), and its
role was limited to interpreting laws, not enforcing or making them.
4. Rule of Four: The Rule of Four is a Supreme Court practice requiring at least four
justices to agree to hear a case, enabling a minority of the Court to grant a
petition for review.
5. Federal Courts as a Reactive Body: Federal courts are reactive, as they only
address legal issues brought before them by litigants rather than proactively
seeking out cases to resolve.
6. Judicial Review: Judicial review is the authority of courts to review the actions of
the legislative and executive branches to determine if they are constitutional and,
if not, to invalidate or alter them.
7. Difference Between Criminal Law and Civil Law: Criminal law deals with cases
where the government prosecutes individuals for violating laws, while civil law
involves disputes between individuals or entities seeking resolution and
compensation for various matters.
8. Precedents and Stare Decisis: Precedents are past court decisions used as a basis
for current rulings; stare decisis is the principle of following precedents to
maintain consistency and stability in the law.
9. District Court vs. Appellate Court: District courts are trial courts where cases are
initially heard and decided, while appellate courts review decisions made by
lower courts on appeal and do not hold trials or hear evidence.
10. Nomination Process for Federal Judges: The President nominates federal judges,
and the Senate confirms them through a majority vote following hearings
conducted by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
11. Role of the Solicitor General: The Solicitor General is the government's top
lawyer who represents the United States before the Supreme Court, handling and
arguing cases in which the government is a party.