mandamus

noun

man·​da·​mus man-ˈdā-məs 

: a writ issued by a superior court commanding the performance of a specified official act or duty

Examples of mandamus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Other than mandamus actions, a suit under 42 USC 1983, was filed, I was never served and the matter was ultimately dismissed with prejudice, without my participation. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2024

Since then, the case seeking the writ mandamus has continued but motions mostly had to do with procedural matters, Levinson said, such as a filing from Yost to dismiss the case. —Laura Hancock, cleveland, 2 Sep. 2022

Abbott disclosed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a mandamus petition in the 5th Court of Appeals to strike down the actions by Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins, who filed a lawsuit against Abbott on Monday. —Marcy De Luna, Chron, 13 Aug. 2021

The court further reasoned that, in any event, a judge does not subject himself to recusal by participating in a mandamus proceeding — particularly when the Circuit itself invited his participation. —Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 1 Sep. 2020

But, to repeat, winning the case is different from winning the mandamus. —Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 15 Aug. 2020

On average, mandamus petitions are decided by the Court of Criminal Appeals within about three-six months. —Ashley Remkus | [e-mail], al, 7 Apr. 2020

That’s a stark contrast to the past 16 years, during which the government sought only eight stays total, four reviews before judgment, and no mandamus writs. —Ephrat Livni, Quartz, 22 Feb. 2020

On average, mandamus petitions are decided by the Court of Criminal Appeals within about three-six months, a court official said. —Ashley Remkus | [e-mail], al, 31 Jan. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Latin, we enjoin, from mandare

First Known Use

1760, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing mandamus

• writ of mandamus

Kids Definition

mandamus

noun

man·​da·​mus man-ˈdā-məs 

: a writ from a superior court ordering the performance of an act or duty

Legal Definition

mandamus

noun

man·​da·​mus man-ˈdā-məs 

: an extraordinary writ issued by a court of competent jurisdiction to an inferior tribunal, a public official, an administrative agency, a corporation, or any person compelling the performance of an act usually only when there is a duty under the law to perform the act, the plaintiff has a clear right to such performance, and there is no other adequate remedy available

also : an action in the nature of a writ of mandamus in jurisdictions where the writ is abolished compare cease-and-desist order at order, injunction, stay

Note: Mandamus is an extraordinary remedy and is issued usually only to command the performance of a ministerial act. It cannot be used to substitute the court's judgment for the defendant's in the performance of a discretionary act.

mandamus verb

Etymology

Latin, we enjoin, from mandare to enjoin