Certiorari

Definition - Noun
[Medieval Latin certiorari (volumus) (we wish) to be informed (words used in the Latin texts of such writs)]
: an extraordinary writ issued by a superior court (as the Supreme Court) to call up the records of a particular case from an inferior judicial body (as a Court of Appeals)
see also the Judicial System in the back matter
compare appeal
Certiorari is one of the two ways to have a case from a U.S. Court of Appeals reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court. Certification is the other. The Supreme Court may also use certiorari to review a decision by a state's highest court when there is a question as to the validity of a federal treaty or statute, or of a state statute on constitutional grounds. Certiorari is also used within state court systems.
Pronunciation"s&r-shE-&-'rar-E, "s&r-sh&-, -'rär-

Pronunciation Key

  • \&\ as a and u in a b ut
  • \[^&]\ as e in kitt en
  • \&r\ as ur and er in f urther
  • \a\ as a inash
  • \A\ as a in ace
  • \Š\ as o in m op
  • \au\ as ou in ou t
  • \ch\ as ch in ch in
  • \e\ as e in bet
  • \E\ as ea in easy
  • \g\ as g in go
  • \i\ as i in hit
    		•
  • \I\ as i in ice
  • \j\ as j in job
  • \[ng]\ as ng in sing
  • \O\ as o in go
  • \o\ as aw in law
  • \oi\ as oy in boy
  • \th\ as th in thin
  • \[th_]\ as thin the
  • \Ÿ\ as oo in loot
  • \u\ as oo in foot
  • \y\ as y in yet
  • \zh\ as si in vision
    		•


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    Based on Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©2001.
    Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
    Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.
    http://www.m-w.com    		 Merriam-Webster

    collateral estoppel

    estoppel by judgment barring the relitigation of issues litigated by the same parties on a different cause of action


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