What is "certiorari"

Certiorari \Cer`ti*o*ra"ri\, n. [So named from the emphatic word certiorari in the Latin form of the writ, which read certiorar volumus we wish to be certified.] (Law) A writ issuing out of chancery, or a superior court, to call up the records of a inferior court, or remove a cause there depending, in order that the party may have more sure and speedy justice, or that errors and irregularities may be corrected. It is obtained upon complaint of a party that he has not received justice, or can not have an impartial trial in the inferior court.

Note: A certiorari is the correct process to remove the proceedings of a court in which cases are tried in a manner different from the course of the common law, as of county commissioners. It is also used as an auxiliary process in order to obtain a full return to some other process.
--Bouvier.

legal Latin, "to be certified, to be informed or shown," from a word figuring in the opening phrase of such writs from superior to inferior courts seeking the records of a case. Passive present infinitive of certorare "to certify, inform," from certior, comp. of certus "sure" (see certain).

n. 1 (context US legal English) A grant of the right of an appeal to be heard by an appellate court where that court has discretion to choose which appeals it will hear. 2 (context British legal English) A grant of review of a government action by a court with discretion to make such a review.

n. a common law writ issued by a superior court to one of inferior jurisdiction demanding the record of a particular case [syn: writ of certiorari]

Certiorari (, , or ), often abbreviated as cert. in the United States, is a writ seeking judicial review. It is issued by a superior court, directing an inferior court, tribunal, or other public authority to send the record of a proceeding for review.