What does the term “writ of certiorari” refer to?

The term "writ of certiorari" refers to a formal document that a party submits to a higher court to seek judicial review of a lower court's decision. Specifically, it is most commonly associated with the Supreme Court of the United States, which uses this writ to choose which cases it will hear. When the Supreme Court grants a writ of certiorari, it agrees to review the decision made by a lower court, typically because the case raises important legal questions or involves significant interpretations of law.

This process allows the higher court to ensure that law is applied consistently across different jurisdictions and to correct any errors that might have occurred in lower courts. The issuance of a writ of certiorari is a crucial part of the appellate process, enabling the justices to focus on the most critical and precedent-setting cases.