Legal Definitions - writ of mandate

A writ of mandate, also known as mandamus, is a legal order issued by a court to a government agency or another court to follow the law. This order requires the agency to correct its previous actions or stop any illegal acts.

• A citizen can file a writ of mandate against a government agency that is not following the law.
• A court can issue a writ of mandate to another court that is not following the proper legal procedures.

For example, if a government agency is not providing a citizen with the benefits they are entitled to by law, the citizen can file a writ of mandate to force the agency to comply with the law. Similarly, if a court is not following the proper legal procedures in a case, another court can issue a writ of mandate to require the court to follow the law.

Overall, a writ of mandate is a powerful tool that can be used to ensure that government agencies and courts are following the law and protecting the rights of citizens.