Writs were developed over time as a way for authorities—legal and otherwise—to direct others to perform specific actions. This means that a modern-day writ provides an order from a higher to a lower court, from a court to an individual or other entity, or from a government agency to another party.

What is the purpose of a writ?

writ, in common law, order issued by a court in the name of a sovereign authority requiring the performance of a specific act. The most common modern writs are those, such as the summons, used to initiate an action.

What does it mean to take a writ?

A “writ” is an order from a higher court ordering a lower court to do something. Writs provide a process for review by the appellate courts of trial court rulings that are not immediately appealable. It is a short-cut to getting your case considered by the higher court.