Recent Limitations to the Theory of Acts of Sovereignty and What They Mean for Judicial Independence in Egypt: A Study of Two Cases and Their Distinct Implications

Abstract

The theory of acts of sovereignty is a serious limitation on the scope of judicial review. This paper examines the recent applications of the theory by the Egyptian State Council and the Supreme Constitutional Court which aim to widen the scope of judicial review by limiting the applications of the theory of acts of sovereignty. The two cases studied were decided amid political tensions. These cases cannot be understood separately from the political environment in which they were decided and the status of guarantees made for the impartiality of judges within this context. This paper argues that although both cases are important steps forward, they fail to establish a lasting limitation on the theory.