UPSC Express

Literal Meaning

• Habeas Corpus – to have the body of
• Mandamus – command/order to do the duty to public official
• Prohibition – to forbid higher court to lower court – prevent from exceeding the jurisdiction (in between the trial)
• Certiorari – to be certified – superior court to inferior court to squash the order or transfer the case (at the end of the trial)
• Quo Warranto – By what warrant – Authority or claim of a person to office

 

Writs – Constitutional Meaning

• Habeas Corpus 
  • Have the body of
  • Produce the detainee
• Mandamus 
  • Command
  • Against public authority
  • To have him do duty
• Prohibition
  • Forbid
  • HC to lower court
  • To stop trail
  • Against judicial and quasi judicial
  • preventive
• Certiorari
  • Certified
  • HC to lower
  • Transfer or squash judgment
  • Preventive and curative
  • Judicial + quasi judicial + administrative
• Quo Warranto 
  • Authority or warrant
  • Against state – public authority