What is "quo warranto"

Quo warranto \Quo` war*ran"to\ (kw[=o]` w[o^]r*r[a^]n"t[-o]). [So called from the Law L. words quo warranto (by what authority), in the original Latin form of the writ. See Which, and Warrant.] (Law) A writ brought before a proper tribunal, to inquire by what warrant a person or a corporation acts, or exercises certain powers.
--Blackstone.

Note: An information in the nature of a quo warranto is now common as a substitute for the writ.
--Wharton.

Medieval Latin, literally "by what warrant," from quo "from, with, or by whom or what?," ablative of interrogative pronoun quis "who?" (see who).

n. (context legal English) A writ brought before a proper tribunal, to inquire by what warrant a person or a corporation acts, or exercises certain powers.

n. a hearing to determine by what authority someone has an office or franchise or liberty

Quo warranto ( Medieval Latin for "by what warrant?") is a prerogative writ requiring the person to whom it is directed to show what authority they have for exercising some right or power (or " franchise") they claim to hold.