What does the Rule of Four refer to?

The Rule of Four specifically refers to the practice used by the Supreme Court of the United States, where at least four justices must agree to grant a writ of certiorari in order to hear a case. This rule is significant because it serves as a threshold that allows for a minority of the justices to determine whether a case is worthy of the Court's review, despite the majority not being in favor. By requiring only four out of the nine justices to agree, the Rule of Four ensures that cases with substantial legal questions can be considered, even if they do not garner broad support among the justices at that stage. This rule fosters a diverse array of cases being brought to the Court, promoting the importance of judicial review and the protection of minority viewpoints within the judicial process.

In contrast, the other options address different aspects of court proceedings but do not accurately describe the Rule of Four. The second option pertains to the voting dynamics involved in upholding or overturning lower court decisions. The third option, regarding presenters during oral arguments, does not apply to the concept of the Rule of Four. Lastly, the fourth option about dissenting opinions refers to a different procedural requirement altogether. Hence, the significance of the Rule of Four lies in its