certiorari pronounced "sir-shi-or-ary", but often just called "writ of cert"
A
Latin term meaning "made more certain." An
order issued by a higher
court to a lower court to send up the
record of a
case for
review. Most cases that are reviewed are done so in the
Supreme Court through this
writ, but only when at least four of the nine
justices decide the case is in need of review. This writ can call for changes to amendments, but can only be used if the case is still in dispute.