SALT LAKE CITY — Judge John Nielsen's nomination to the Utah Supreme Court comes at a particularly tense time in relations between the legislative and judicial branches of government.

That was evident throughout Monday's hearing, where Judge Nielsen was grilled on legislative power and the limits of the judiciary.

"If the voice of the people, the legislature or whatever, feels the courts have gone amiss in its interpretation, passes a statute to clarify, post-decision," Sen. Dan McCay, R-Riverton, said. "In your opinion, how should that clarification be viewed against the decision?"

Judge Nielsen thoughtfully replied about the history of common law and legal interpretation. But throughout Monday's confirmation hearing, questions about judicial philosophy seemed to be referring to disagr

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