What does it mean that the Supreme Court must only decide cases that are justiciable?

The concept of justiciability refers to the types of issues that are appropriate for the courts to resolve. When it is stated that the Supreme Court must decide only cases that are justiciable, it means that the Court focuses on legal principles that can be analyzed and determined through judicial processes. This limits the Court's role to adjudicating disputes that have clear legal ramifications, rather than engaging in matters that are purely political or personal in nature.

By deciding only justiciable cases, the Supreme Court ensures that it applies established legal standards rather than wading into political debates or making value judgments on personal grievances. This approach upholds the judicial principle of separation of powers, maintaining that the judiciary should not involve itself in issues that the political branches are better suited to handle. Thus, when the Court applies legal principles to make decisions, it safeguards the integrity of the judicial system and follows its foundational role in upholding the rule of law.

In summary, justiciability reinforces the Court's commitment to interpreting and applying law, thereby allowing it to maintain its judicial function while steering clear of politically charged or non-legal matters.