Duhaime's Law Dictionary


Quo Warranto Definition:

Latin: legal procedure taken to stop a person or organization from doing something for which it may not have the legal authority, by demanding to know by what right they exercise the controversial authority.

Related Terms: Certiorari, Habeas Corpus, Prohibition, Mandamus, Warrant

Latin: by what authority?

A challenge to a person allegedly improperly asserting a right to hold a public office.

The writ seeks to disenfranchise on the record a person or organization from doing something for which it may not have the legal authority, by demanding to know by what right they exercise the controversial authority.

Challenging a person's right to hold a public office.

As with the related remedies of mandamus, certiorari and prohibition, these remedies have been displaced by many jurisdictions and replaced by more generic-named tools such as injunctions or judicial review.

Categories & Topics:


Always looking up definitions? Save time with our search provider (modern browsers only)

If you find an error or omission in Duhaime's Law Dictionary, or if you have suggestion for a legal term, we'd love to hear from you!

Top