General Legal
Writ
Definition
A writ is a formal written order issued by a court commanding a person or entity to perform or cease performing a specific action. Historically, writs were the primary mechanism for initiating legal proceedings. In modern practice, some writs remain important: habeas corpus (challenging the legality of detention), mandamus (ordering a government official to perform a duty), certiorari (directing a lower court to send the record for review), and prohibition (preventing a lower court from exceeding its jurisdiction).
Example
A prisoner files a writ of habeas corpus challenging their conviction on the grounds that they were denied effective assistance of counsel at trial.