mandamus
noun
- court order to perform a public duty
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /mænˈdeɪməs/
noun
Etymology: From Latin mandāmus (“we command”).
- A common law prerogative writ that compels a court or government officer to perform mandatory or purely ministerial duties correctly.
“I admit to all my learned friends that a Mandamus does not issue where there is another course of proceeding by which the thing can be effected; but I again state to your Lordships, that if in this case a Mandamus must not issue, there is no other proceeding that can be adopted.”
“And then it was moved that the court would grant a mandamus to the delegates to admit the bishop's allegations: and it was compared to the cases where they grant mandamuses to compel the granting of probates of wills or letters of administration.”
verb
Etymology: From Latin mandāmus (“we command”).
- To serve a writ of this kind upon.