What is a writ of certiorari?

A writ of certiorari is a legal order issued by a higher court, particularly the Supreme Court, to a lower court to send the records of a case for review. This is an essential mechanism in the judicial system as it allows the higher court to examine and consider the lower court's decisions when substantial issues have been raised. The writ signals that the higher court will review the case, which could result in upholding or overturning the lower court's ruling.

In the context of judicial practice, the writ of certiorari is often sought when a party believes that the lower court ruled incorrectly or when there's a need to clarify important legal questions that may affect future cases. This process is crucial for maintaining consistency within the legal system and ensuring that significant legal principles are appropriately addressed.

Other choices refer to different concepts in the judicial system: a filing deadline for legal briefs relates to procedural aspects of case management; a decision made without oral argument typically refers to a case decided based on written submissions only; and a formal judgment by the Supreme Court describes the outcome of a case rather than the mechanism through which it is brought before the court. Each of these plays a role in judicial proceedings but does not define a writ of certiorari.