Knowledge

Reference and support materials for case law research and legal education.

Back to glossary

Certiorari

Latin for “to be made more certain”.

A writ of certiorari is a prerogative remedy or order issued by the court in judicial review proceedings, bringing up and quashing the decision of a lower court or tribunal, by reason of an error of law “on the face of the record” (ie readily apparent from the record of the proceedings) or because it was made ultra vires (in excess of jurisdiction).