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certiorari

certiorari

Noun

This term is a specialized legal instrument used primarily in appellate law. It represents a discretionary power of a higher court to select which cases it will review, rather than a right of the appellant to be heard. In practice, the granting of this writ is rare and signifies that the court believes the case involves a significant legal question or a conflict in lower court rulings.

Because it is a technical Latin term, it is used almost exclusively in formal legal documents, judicial opinions, and academic legal writing. It is never used in casual conversation or general contexts outside of the judiciary.

Meanings

Nouncertiorari

A writ or order by which a higher court reviews a decision of a lower court.

The Supreme Court granted certiorari to hear the case.

Examples

The Supreme Court decided to grant certiorari in the high profile civil rights case.

I wonder if the justices will grant certiorari for my client's petition.

The court denied certiorari and let the lower court ruling stand.

We need to file a petition for a writ of certiorari by the end of the month.

Business

The legal team is preparing the brief for certiorari now.

Business

It is rare for the court to grant certiorari unless there is a significant legal conflict.

History

Did they grant certiorari yet?

The petition for certiorari was rejected without further review.

A writ of certiorari is the primary mechanism for the Supreme Court to select its cases.

Last Updated: May 2026•Report an Error