Supreme Court of the United States - United States

The Supreme Court is the only Federal court established by the Constitution. It is the highest court in the United States, comprising of a chief justice and eight associate justices. Appointments, which are for life or until voluntary retirement, are made by the President, subject to confirmation by the United States Senate. It has the final authority to interpret and apply the Constitution and the laws and treaties of the United States. Decisions of the Supreme Court are taken by a majority vote.

The Supreme Court hears four types of cases:

• According to Article III of the Constitution, cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and those in which a State shall be a party;
• Cases which arise out of the laws and treaties of the United States government and have been litigated through the Federal courts;
• Cases which involve the interpretation of the Constitution and have been litigated through the Federal courts; and,
• Cases in which a constitutional issue was raised in a State court of first instance and appealed through the relevant State court system.