Certiorari

Origin

Law Latin present passive infinitive of certioro, a contraction of certiorem facere ("to search", literally "to make certain").

Full definition of certiorari

Noun

1. (US, legal) A grant of the right of an appeal to be heard by an appellate court where that court has discretion to choose which appeals it will hear.
2. (British, legal) A grant of review of a government action by a court with discretion to make such a review.

Derived terms

• cert. (abbreviation)
• cert (alternative form)
• cert pool