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: Dictionary of Latin Law Terms Duhaime's Civil Litigation & Evidence Law Dictionary 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!