<P> The west façade of the building ( essentially , the `` front '' of the court , being the side which faces the Capitol ) bears the motto `` Equal Justice Under Law , '' while the east façade bears the motto `` Justice , the Guardian of Liberty . '' On November 28 , 2005 , a basketball - sized chunk of marble weighing approximately 172 lb ( 78 kg ) fell four stories from the west façade onto the steps of the Court ; it had previously been part of the parapet above the word `` under '' in the `` equal justice under law '' engraving immediately above the figure of a Roman centurion carrying fasces . After the incident , planning was initiated to repair the west façade which includes cleaning , removal of debris and restoration . In 2012 scaffolding encased the west façade printed with a full - size photograph of the façade . The project was completed in 2013 . </P>
<P> The west façade of the building ( essentially , the `` front '' of the court , being the side which faces the Capitol ) bears the motto `` Equal Justice Under Law , '' while the east façade bears the motto `` Justice , the Guardian of Liberty . '' On November 28 , 2005 , a basketball - sized chunk of marble weighing approximately 172 lb ( 78 kg ) fell four stories from the west façade onto the steps of the Court ; it had previously been part of the parapet above the word `` under '' in the `` equal justice under law '' engraving immediately above the figure of a Roman centurion carrying fasces . After the incident , planning was initiated to repair the west façade which includes cleaning , removal of debris and restoration . In 2012 scaffolding encased the west façade printed with a full - size photograph of the façade . The project was completed in 2013 . </P>
above the west entrance to the u.s. supreme court building is the phrase
above the west entrance to the u.s. supreme court building is the phrase
`` Equal Justice Under Law , ''
`` Equal Justice Under Law , ''