Definition

Noun: An extraordinary writ issued by a court, commanding a government official, corporation, or lower court to perform a specific, legally required, and ministerial act. This act must be one that the law recognizes as an absolute duty, leaving no room for the official's discretion. This legal remedy is used only when all other judicial remedies have been exhausted or have failed.

Usage

This term is used in formal legal contexts, specifically within common law systems. It describes a court order that compels action, rather than prohibiting it (which would be an injunction). It is a remedy of last resort.

Examples

• The judge issued a writ of mandamus to compel the city clerk to release the public records, as the clerk had a clear legal duty to do so.
• After the agency unlawfully refused his application, the petitioner sought a writ of mandamus from the appellate court.
• The court denied the request for a writ of mandamus, finding that the official's decision involved an element of discretion.

Advanced Usage

• "To seek a writ of mandamus": To petition a court to issue this specific order.
  • The attorney advised her client to seek a writ of mandamus against the licensing board.
• "Mandamus relief": The legal remedy or outcome provided by the issuance of this writ.
  • The plaintiff was granted mandamus relief, forcing the completion of the action.

Variants and Related Words

• Mandamus (n): The common, shortened form of the full term "writ of mandamus." It is often used interchangeably in legal writing.
  • The court granted the petition for mandamus.
• Peremptory mandamus: A final, absolute command to perform the act, issued after an initial order has been ignored.
• Alternative mandamus: An initial order that commands an act or requires the official to show cause why it should not be done.

Synonyms

• Mandatory injunction: A court order requiring a party to take a specific action. (Note: While similar, technical legal distinctions exist between mandamus and mandatory injunctions.)
• Peremptory writ: A writ that is absolute and final, not requiring any further cause to be shown.

Related Legal Principles

• Ministerial act: A key concept for mandamus. This is an act performed according to a legal duty, without any personal judgment or discretion. Mandamus is only available to compel ministerial acts, not discretionary ones.
• Exhaustion of remedies: A prerequisite for mandamus. A petitioner must show that all other available legal or administrative remedies have been tried and have failed before a court will consider issuing this writ.

Noun

1. an extraordinary writ commanding an official to perform a ministerial act that the law recognizes as an absolute duty and not a matter for the official's discretion; used only when all other judicial remedies fail