Petition to a higher court

• A common law writ issued by a superior court to one of inferior jurisdiction demanding the record of a particular case

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
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 ]

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
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 ...

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
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 ...

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
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 ...

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
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.