The Supreme Court is composed of nine Justices, but that number is not specified by the Constitution. Political disputes over the composition of the Court are becoming routine, even when no Supreme Court confirmation fight is on the horizon. One such flashpoint is the size of the Court itself.

Some advocates of Supreme Court expansion argue that increasing the number of justices would foster institutional legitimacy, push the Court closer to public opinion, and help it produce better judicial opinions. In contrast, some opponents of Court expansion argue that a constitutional amendment that permanently fixes the number of justices at nine would best protect the rule of law, the Court’s institutional needs, and the interests of justice.

Join us to hear a panel of experts discuss the pros and cons of Supreme Court expansion and their contrasting visions for institutional reforms of the Court.