Prerogative Writ

Formerly a court order issued under certain circumstances on the authority of the extraordinary powers of the monarch.

The prerogative writs were procedendo, Mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto, habeas corpus, and certiorari. Today these forms of relief are also called extraordinary remedies and are issued on the strength of the inherent powers of the court to enforce its orders and to do justice. The paper granting a petition for an extraordinary remedy is still called a writ. For example, a writ of certiorari grants the petitioner an opportunity to appeal the decision of a lower court in a case where he or she does not have a right to appeal.

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prerogative writ n. an historic generic term for any writ (court order) directed to government agencies, public officials or another court.