Writ of Certiorari

Definition

A petition to a higher court (usually the Supreme Court) asking it to review a lower court's decision, with approval rates so low you might as well be playing the lottery.

Example Usage

After losing in the appellate court, the defendant petitioned for a writ of certiorari, with roughly a 1% chance of success.

Origin

From Latin 'certiorari,' meaning to be made more certain or informed

Fun Fact

The Supreme Court receives around 7,000 certiorari petitions annually but grants only about 70-80, making it extraordinarily selective

Source: Appellate procedure and supreme court terminology

Related Terms

Intermediate

good faith

An implied obligation in contracts to deal honestly and fairly with the other party, not exploiting technicalities or acting like a cartoon villain. It's a vague concept that somehow judges always know when you've violated.

⚖️ Legal

Advanced

tortious

The adjective form of "tort" that describes behavior so wrongful it's civil-suit-worthy, but not quite criminal—think negligent, not nefarious. This legalistic term helps lawyers distinguish between actions that land you in civil court versus criminal court, which is the difference between writing a check and wearing an orange jumpsuit. If someone's conduct is tortious, they're about to get sued, not arrested.

⚖️ Legal

Beginner

accused

The person on the receiving end of criminal charges, standing in the uncomfortable spotlight of allegations before guilt is proven—or not. Unlike a defendant in a civil case who might just owe money, the accused faces potential loss of liberty and that special joy of being presumed innocent while everyone treats you like you're guilty. Until the gavel falls on a verdict, they're in legal limbo with a very expensive lawyer.

⚖️ Legal

Intermediate

gratuitous

Something given for free without expectation of payment or consideration, though in legal contexts it often implies something done without good reason or justification. It's the difference between a genuine gift and that unnecessary violence in movies your parents complained about. When lawyers use it, they're usually criticizing something as excessive or unwarranted.

⚖️ Legal

Advanced

purview

The official scope or range of authority that something falls under, often used by people who want to sound important when saying 'that's not my department.' In legal contexts, it refers to the actual operative part of a statute that does the commanding. Basically, it's a fancy way to define whose problem something is or what a law actually does versus what it just talks about.

⚖️ Legal

Advanced

judgment notwithstanding the verdict

A judge's decision to overrule a jury's verdict when no reasonable jury could have reached that conclusion. It's the judicial equivalent of 'I know what you said, but you're wrong,' and it's as rare as it sounds.

⚖️ Legal

Translate This Term

See “Writ of Certiorari” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

Try the Translator

Share This Term

Post on X Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn

Discover a Term

Intermediate

confection

An elaborately prepared sweet treat that's often preserved with sugar, decorated with obsessive detail, and designed to ...