Editing Writ (section)

== Indian law ==
Under the Indian legal system, jurisdiction to issue '[[prerogative writ]]s' is given to the [[Supreme Court of India]] and the High Courts of Judicature of all [[States of India|Indian states]]. Parts of the law relating to writs are outlined in the [[Constitution of India]]. The Supreme Court, the highest in the country, may issue writs under Article 32 of the Constitution for enforcement of [[Fundamental rights in India|fundamental rights]] and under Article 139 for enforcement of rights other than fundamental rights, while High Courts, the superior courts of the States, may issue writs under Articles 226. The Constitution broadly provides for five kinds of "prerogative" writs: ''habeas corpus'', ''certiorari'', ''mandamus'', ''quo warranto'' and prohibition:

* The ''[[writ of prohibition]]'' (forbid) is issued by a higher court to a lower court, prohibiting it from taking up a case because it falls outside the jurisdiction of the lower court. Thus, the higher court transfers the case to itself.
* The ''[[writ of habeas corpus]]'' (to have the body of) is issued to a detaining authority, ordering the detainer to produce the detained person in the issuing court, along with the cause of their detention. If the detention is illegal, the court issues an order to free the person.
* The ''[[writ of certiorari]]'' (be informed) is issued to a lower court directing that the record of a case be sent up for review, together with all supporting files, evidence, and documents, usually to overrule the judgment of the lower court. It is one of the mechanisms by which the [[Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of India|fundamental rights]] of the citizens are upheld.
* The ''[[writ of mandamus]]'' (command) is issued to a subordinate court, an officer of the government, or a corporation or other institution commanding the performance of certain acts or duties. But it cannot be issued against a Public Authority for enforcing a Private Contractual Obligation
* The ''[[writ of quo warranto]]'' (by what authority; under what warrant) is issued against a person who claims or usurps a public office. Through this writ, the court inquires 'by what authority' the person supports their claim.