Writ - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In English common law, a writ is a formal written order issued by a body with administrative or judicial jurisdiction. In modern use this generally is a court. Writs are issued by courts directing the person to whom they are addressed to do something or to not do something.^[1] Writs may also be used to direct other courts or public authorities. The authority for a court to issue a writ is given by the All Writs Act which is a United States federal statute originally a part of the Judiciary Act of 1789.^[2]

In its earliest form a writ was simply a written order made by the English king to a specified person to undertake a specified action. For example in the feudal era a military summons by the king to one of his tenants-in-chief to appear dressed for battle with his knights at a certain place and time.^[3] An early usage survives in the United Kingdom. Also in Canada in a writ of election. This was is a written order issued on behalf of the monarch (in Canada, the Governor General) to local officials (High Sheriffs of every county in historical UK) to hold a general election. Writs were used by the medieval English kings to summon persons to Parliament.

There have been a great many kinds of writs. Some of the more common types still in use are:

• Writ of Habeas corpus: A legal document ordering a person who has been arrested to come before a court.^[1]
• Writ of Mandamus: This directs a government department or official to take an action.^[1]
• Writ of Prohibition: This writ directs a public authority not to take a specified action. Usually issued by appellate courts to lower courts.^[1]
• Writ of Certiorari (abbreviated Cert.): A kind of writ issued by an appellate court to review cases from a lower court.^[1]
• Writ of Quo warranto: A type of writ used to challenge the legality of someone holding a public office.^[1]
• Writ of Coram nobis: A writ issued by an appeals court to a lower court to correct a previous error.^[4]