What term refers to the Supreme Court's ability to declare legislation unconstitutional?

The term that refers to the Supreme Court's ability to declare legislation unconstitutional is Judicial Review. This principle is a fundamental aspect of the checks and balances system established by the U.S. Constitution, allowing the judiciary to evaluate laws passed by the legislative branch to ensure they align with constitutional mandates. Judicial Review serves as a critical mechanism for maintaining the rule of law, preserving individual rights, and ensuring that governmental actions do not exceed constitutional bounds. This function was established in the landmark case Marbury v. Madison in 1803 and has since become a cornerstone of American constitutional law.

Other terms listed in the question refer to different legal concepts. Statutory Interpretation involves the judicial process of understanding and applying statutes enacted by the legislature, while Constitutional Amendment pertains to the formal changes made to the Constitution itself. Judicial Activism describes a judicial philosophy advocating for proactive judicial interpretation and intervention, but does not specifically denote the power to overturn laws based on constitutional grounds. Thus, Judicial Review specifically identifies the Supreme Court’s role in assessing the constitutionality of legislative acts.