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California Procedure (5th), Extraordinary Writs
I. NATURE AND TYPES OF EXTRAORDINARY WRITS
A. In General.
1. [§1] Ordinary and Extraordinary
Writs.
2. [§2] Abolition of Common Law
Writs.
3. [§3] Constitutional Relaxation of
Common Law Restrictions.
4. [§4] Constitutional Consolidation
of Trial Courts.
B. Certiorari: Review of
Judicial Action.
1. [§5] In General.
2. Comparison to Other
Remedies.
(a) [§6] Appeal.
(b) [§7] Equitable Relief and Recall
of Remittitur.
(c) [§8] Prohibition.
(d) [§9] Mandamus.
(e) [§10] Habeas Corpus.
(f) Special Types of Review.
(1) [§11] State Bar Court Decisions.
(2) Agricultural Labor Relations
Board Decisions.
(aa) [§12] In General.
(bb) [§13] Effect of Constitutional Limitations.
(cc) [§14] Summary Denial of Petition
by ALRB.
(3) [§15] Juvenile Court Orders
Terminating Parental Rights.
(4) [§16] Trial Court Orders for
Disclosure Under Public Records Act.
(5) [§17] Other Proceedings.
C. Prohibition: Restraint of
Judicial Action.
1. [§18] In General.
2. Comparison to Other
Remedies.
(a) [§19] Mandamus.
(b) [§20] Supersedeas.
(c) [§21] Habeas Corpus.
(d) [§22] Prohibitory Injunction.
D. Mandamus: Compulsion of
Ministerial Duty.
1. [§23] In General.
2. Comparison to Other
Remedies.
(a) [§24] Mandatory Injunction.
(b) [§25] Quo Warranto.
(c) [§26] Declaratory Relief.
E. Quo Warranto.
1. [§27] In General.
2. [§28] Action by Attorney General.
3. [§29] Action on Application of
Private Person.
4. [§30] Action by Local Legislative
Body.
F. [§31] Discretionary Issuance of
Prohibition or Mandamus.
G. [§32] Review of Administrative
Decisions.
II. CONDITIONS FOR ISSUANCE OF CERTIORARI
A. Completed Judicial Act.
1. Judicial Acts Reviewable by
Certiorari.
(a) [§33] In General.
(b) Nonappealable Judgments or
Orders.
(1) [§34] In General.
(2) [§35] Contempt Orders.
(3) [§36] Probate Orders.
(4) [§37] Other Orders.
2. [§38] Legislative Acts Are Not
Reviewable.
3. [§39] Ministerial Acts Are Not
Reviewable.
4. [§40] Act Must Be Completed.
B. [§41] Lack or Excess of
Jurisdiction.
C. No Appeal or Other Adequate
Remedy.
1. Remedy by Appeal.
(a) [§42] General Rule.
(b) [§43] Remedy Lost by Neglect.
(c) [§44] Remedy Lost Without Fault.
(d) [§45] Appeal to Superior Court.
2. [§46] Review on Later Appeal.
3. [§47] Other Adequate Remedy.
III. CONDITIONS FOR ISSUANCE OF PROHIBITION
A. Threatened Judicial Act.
1. [§48] Act Must Be Judicial.
2. [§49] Act Must Be Threatened.
3. Act Must Not Be Completed.
(a) [§50] In General.
(b) [§51] Exception: Partially
Completed or Continuing Act.
B. [§52] Lack or Excess of
Jurisdiction.
C. No Other Adequate Remedy.
1. In General.
(a) [§53] Nature of Condition.
(b) [§54] Question of Fact.
(c) [§55] Effect of Respondent's Acquiescence.
(d) [§56] Effect of Alternative Writ.
(e) [§57] Effect of Order To Show
Cause.
2. Remedy by Appeal.
(a) [§58] In General.
(b) Appeal as Adequate Remedy.
(1) [§59] Direct Appeal With Stay.
(2) [§60] Direct Appeal Is
"Speedy" Remedy.
(c) Appeal as Inadequate Remedy.
(1) Direct Appeal But Undue
Hardship.
(aa) [§61] In General.
(bb) [§62] No Practical Stay.
(cc) [§63] Other Kinds of Hardship.
(2) No Direct Appeal.
(aa) [§64] In General.
(bb) [§65] No Jurisdiction of Subject
Matter.
(cc) [§66] Excess of Jurisdiction.
(3) Public Interest in Prompt
Decision.
(aa) [§67] Constitutional or Statutory
Interpretation.
(bb) [§68] Threatened Public Injury.
(cc) [§69] Issue of General Importance:
Review Granted.
(dd) [§70] Issue of General Importance:
Review Denied.
3. Remedy by Other Writ.
(a) [§71] In General.
(b) [§72] Order Enforceable by
Contempt Proceedings.
(c) [§73] Trial Without Jurisdiction
of Person.
IV. CONDITIONS FOR ISSUANCE OF MANDAMUS
A. Petitioner's Right and Respondent's Duty.
1. [§74] In General.
2. Petitioner's Right or Interest.
(a) [§75] No Substantial Right
Involved.
(b) No Beneficial Interest in
Petitioner.
(1) [§76] In General.
(2) [§77] Minority Member of
Administrative Agency.
(c) [§78] Beneficial Interest of Labor
Union.
3. Respondent's Duty.
(a) [§79] No Present Duty.
(b) No Ministerial Duty.
(1) [§80] In General.
(2) [§81] Act Contrary to Law.
(c) [§82] No Present Ability To
Perform.
(d) [§83] Effect of Respondent's Acquiescence.
4. [§84] Exception: Public Interest.
5. Illustrations: Acts of
Administrative Agencies.
(a) Ministerial Acts.
(1) [§85] State Officials.
(2) [§86] Taxing Officials.
(3) [§87] Election Officials.
(4) [§88] Other Local Officials.
(5) [§89] Restoration of Office or
Employment.
(6) Allowance or Payment of
Claim.
(aa) [§90] In General.
(bb) [§91] Illustrations.
(b) Discretionary Acts.
(1) [§92] Controlling Particular
Manner or Result.
(2) [§93] Controlling Exercise of
Legislative Powers.
(3) [§94] Compelling Exercise of
Discretion.
(4) [§95] Controlling Abuse of
Discretion.
6. Illustrations: Acts of
Officers of Corporations and Associations.
(a) [§96] Corporations.
(b) [§97] Labor Unions.
(c) [§98] Other Associations.
7. Illustrations: Acts of
Courts and Court Officers.
(a) [§99] No Control of Discretion.
(b) [§100] Review of Abuse of
Discretion.
(c) [§101] Compelling Exercise of
Jurisdiction or Discretion.
(d) [§102] Compelling Ministerial Acts.
(e) Particular Acts.
(1) [§103] Subject Matter Jurisdiction.
(2) [§104] Personal Jurisdiction.
(3) [§105] Venue and Inconvenient
Forum.
(4) Pleadings.
(aa) [§106] In General.
(bb) [§107] Compelling Leave To File or
Amend Pleading.
(cc) [§108] Compelling Striking of
Pleading or Sustaining of Demurrer.
(5) [§109] Discovery and Production of
Evidence.
(6) Trial or Hearing.
(aa) [§110] In General.
(bb) [§111] Exercise of Discretion in
Decision.
(7) Judgment.
(aa) [§112] Entry of Judgment.
(bb) [§113] Summary Judgment.
(cc) [§114] Enforcing or Vacating
Judgment.
(8) [§115] Appeal.
B. No Other Adequate Remedy.
1. In General.
(a) [§116] Nature of Condition.
(b) [§117] Question of Fact.
(c) [§118] Effect of Respondent's Acquiescence.
(d) [§119] Effect of Alternative Writ.
(e) [§120] Effect of Order To Show
Cause.
(f) [§121] Supreme Court's Direction To Issue Writ.
2. Remedy by Action.
(a) [§122] Remedy Is Normally Adequate.
(b) [§123] Remedy Found Inadequate.
(c) [§124] Mandamus Prohibited by
Statute.
3. [§125] Remedy by Motion.
4. [§126] Remedy by Another Writ.
5. Remedy by Appeal.
(a) Direct Appeal as Adequate
Remedy.
(1) [§127] In General.
(2) [§128] Appeal to Superior Court.
(3) [§129] Orders Relating to
Enforcement of Judgment.
(4) [§130] Other Orders After Final
Judgment.
(b) Appeal as Inadequate Remedy.
(1) [§131] No Direct Appeal.
(2) [§132] Refusal To Assume
Jurisdiction.
(3) [§133] Erroneous Ruling on Remand
Following Appeal.
(4) Public Interest in Prompt
Decision.
(aa) [§134] In General.
(bb) [§135] Illustrations.
V. REASONS FOR DENYING WRIT
A. Reviewing Court Policies.
1. Prior Application Pending in
Another Court.
(a) [§136] General Rule of Denying
Writ.
(b) [§137] Exceptions.
2. Main Case Within Different
Appellate Jurisdiction.
(a) [§138] General Rule of Denying
Writ.
(b) [§139] Scope of Rule.
3. Failure To Raise Objection
Below.
(a) [§140] General Rule of Denying
Writ.
(b) [§141] Illustrations: Prohibition.
(c) [§142] Illustrations: Mandamus.
(d) [§143] Exceptions.
4. Failure To Seek Writ in
Lower Court.
(a) [§144] General Rule of Denying
Writ.
(b) [§145] Public Interest Exception:
Court of Appeal Cases.
(c) [§146] Public Interest Exception:
Supreme Court Cases.
B. [§147] Failure To Establish
Conditions.
C. Moot Case.
1. [§148] General Rule of Denying
Writ.
2. [§149] Exception: Completed
Project.
3. [§150] Exception: Public Interest.
D. Laches.
1. [§151] In General.
2. Mandamus.
(a) [§152] Former Rule: Prejudice
Presumed.
(b) [§153] Current Rule: Prejudice Must
Be Shown.
(c) [§154] Illustrations: Prejudice
Shown.
(d) [§155] Defense Against State.
E. [§156] Unclean Hands.
F. Discretion To Deny.
1. [§157] Nature of Problem.
2. [§158] Theory of Judicial
Discretion.
3. Discretionary Denial
Doctrine.
(a) [§159] In General.
(b) [§160] Illustrations.
(c) [§161] Use of Writs To Review
Procedural Rulings.
VI. PROCEDURE
A. In General.
1. [§162] Procedural Overview.
2. [§163] Governing Statutes and
Rules.
3. [§164] Jurisdiction and Venue.
B. Parties.
1. [§165] Petitioner.
2. Respondent and Real Party in
Interest.
(a) [§166] In General.
(b) [§167] Court or Board.
(c) [§168] Certiorari: Custodian of
Record.
C. Petition.
1. Form and Content.
(a) [§169] In General.
(b) [§170] Allegations.
(c) [§171] Prayer for Relief.
(d) [§172] Verification.
(e) [§173] Grounds for Relief.
(f) [§174] Inadequacy of Other Remedy.
2. Supporting Papers.
(a) [§175] Certiorari.
(b) [§176] Prohibition.
(c) Mandamus.
(1) [§177] Necessity of Record.
(2) [§178] Continuance To Permit
Preparation.
(d) [§179] Petition To Review Trial
Court Ruling.
(e) [§180] Supporting Memorandum.
3. [§181] Proposed Order and Writ.
4. [§182] Time for Filing.
D. Service, Opposition, and
Summary Determination.
1. [§183] Service.
2. [§184] Opposing Memorandum.
3. [§185] Summary Determination.
4. [§186] Denial Is Not Res Judicata.
5. [§187] Second Petition Is Usually
Precluded.
E. Writ or Order To Show Cause.
1. [§188] Certiorari.
2. [§189] Prohibition and Mandamus.
3. [§190] Service of Writ.
4. [§191] Stay of Pending Proceedings.
F. Return.
1. Certiorari.
(a) [§192] In General.
(b) [§193] Return as Answer or
Demurrer.
(c) [§194] Return as Record.
2. Prohibition and Mandamus.
(a) [§195] In General.
(b) [§196] Demurrer or Motion To Quash.
3. [§197] Return in Reviewing Court.
G. [§198] Replication.
H. Hearing and Determination.
1. Certiorari.
(a) [§199] Scope of Review.
(b) [§200] Decision.
2. Prohibition and Mandamus.
(a) Trial or Other Hearing.
(1) [§201] Where Demurrer Alone Is
Filed.
(2) [§202] Where Answer Is Filed.
(3) [§203] Proceedings in Reviewing
Court.
(b) Decision Granting Relief.
(1) Peremptory Writ.
(aa) [§204] Superior Court.
(bb) [§205] Reviewing Court.
(cc) [§206] Departure From Alternative
Writ.
(2) [§207] Enforcement of Judgment.
(c) Decision Denying Relief.
(1) [§208] Procedure.
(2) [§209] Finality and Res Judicata.
(3) [§210] Summary Denial Is Not Law of
Case.
I. Costs, Damages, and Interest.
1. Recovery of Costs and
Damages.
(a) [§211] Mandamus and Prohibition.
(b) [§212] Certiorari.
2. [§213] Costs in Reviewing Court.
3. [§214] Interest in Mandamus Proceeding.
4. [§215] Sanctions for Frivolous
Application.
J. Review of Superior Court
Decision.
1. [§216] Motion for New Trial.
2. Appeal.
(a) [§217] Appealable Orders.
(b) [§218] No Appeal of Writ in Limited
Civil Case.
(c) [§219] Stay Pending Appeal.
K. Review of Court of Appeal
Decision.
1. [§220] Decision on Merits.
2. [§221] Summary Denial.
L. [§222] Review in United States
Supreme Court.
VII. PEREMPTORY WRIT WITHOUT ALTERNATIVE WRIT
A. [§223] In Trial Court.
B. In Reviewing Court.
1. [§224] In General.
2. Circumstances Justifying
Issuance.
(a) [§225] Early Rule: Unusual
Circumstances.
(b) [§226] Later Rule: Where Hearing Is
Unnecessary.
(c) [§227] Current Rule: Where Relief
Is Obvious or Unusual Circumstances Are Present.
3. Procedure.
(a) [§228] In General.
(b) [§229] Notice.
(c) [§230] No Right To Oral Argument.
(d) [§231] Judgment and Writ.
VIII. OPTIONAL AND DUAL USE OF WRITS
A. Mistaken Choice.
1. [§232] In General.
2. [§233] Illustrations.
B. Different Writs for Same
Purpose.
1. [§234] Preventing Trial or Hearing.
2. [§235] Compelling Trial or Hearing.
3. [§236] Challenging Jurisdiction of
Person.
C. Two Writs Necessary for
Complete Relief.
1. [§237] Transfer to Proper Court.
2. [§238] Other Situations.
D. Writ Used With Effect of
Different Writ.
1. [§239] In General.
2. Certiorari With Effect of
Prohibition or Mandamus.
(a) [§240] "Prohibitory
Certiorari."
(b) [§241] "Mandamatory Certiorari."
3. Prohibition With Effect of
Mandamus or Certiorari.
(a) [§242] "Mandamatory
Prohibition."
(b) "Certiorarified
Prohibition."
(1) [§243] Theory: Prohibiting
Enforcement of Order.
(2) [§244] Invalid Injunction.
(3) [§245] Invalid Contempt
Adjudication.
(4) [§246] Improper Discovery
Proceedings.
(5) [§247] Invalid Vacating Order.
(6) [§248] Other Examples.
4. Mandamus With Effect of
Prohibition.
(a) [§249] Mandamus as Alternative
Remedy.
(b) [§250] "Prohibitory
Mandamus."
5. Mandamus With Effect of
Certiorari.
(a) [§251] Administrative Mandamus
Distinguished.
(b) [§252] Development of
"Certiorarified Mandamus."
(c) [§253] Annulling Order Preventing
Execution.
(d) [§254] Annulling Order Preventing
Discovery.
(e) [§255] Annulling Improper Discovery
Order.
(f) [§256] Annulling Other Orders.
(g) [§257] Statutory Review by
Mandamus.
IX. ADMINISTRATIVE MANDAMUS: IN GENERAL
A. Common Law Writ Review.
1. [§258] In General.
2. [§259] Local Agencies.
3. Exceptions: All Writs
Available.
(a) [§260] State Constitutional
Agencies.
(b) Alcoholic Beverage Control
Board.
(1) [§261] In General.
(2) [§262] Procedure.
B. Administrative Mandamus
Statute.
1. [§263] In General.
2. Scope of Act: Entities.
(a) [§264] Public Administrative
Agencies.
(b) [§265] Private Corporations and
Associations.
(c) [§266] Agencies Subject to Special
Review.
3. Scope of Act: Proceedings.
(a) [§267] In General.
(b) [§268] Illustrations: Included
Proceedings.
(c) [§269] Illustrations: Excluded
Proceedings.
4. Exclusion of
Quasi-Legislative Acts.
(a) [§270] In General.
(b) [§271] Illustrations.
(c) [§272] Distinction: Impact of
Agency Decision on Future Cases.
(d) [§273] Distinction: Decision
Applying Invalid Regulation.
C. Judicial Review of
Administrative Agency Action.
1. [§274] Law Revision Commission
Study.
2. [§275] Purpose of Study.
3. [§276] Proposed Legislation.
X. ADMINISTRATIVE MANDAMUS: NATURE AND SCOPE OF REVIEW
A. [§277] In General.
B. Independent Judgment Rule.
1. [§278] In General.
2. [§279] State Agency Without
Quasi-Judicial Powers.
3. Local Agency Without
Quasi-Judicial Powers.
(a) [§280] Former Substantial Evidence
Rule.
(b) [§281] Independent Judgment Rule
Adopted.
4. What Constitutes Vested
Right.
(a) [§282] In General.
(b) [§283] Unemployment Compensation
Rights.
(c) [§284] Applicant's Right to Welfare Benefits.
(d) [§285] Other Illustrations.
5. [§286] Proof by Preponderance of
Evidence.
6. Review of Penalty.
(a) [§287] In General.
(b) [§288] Illustrations.
C. Substantial Evidence Rule.
1. [§289] In General.
2. [§290] State Agency With
Quasi-Judicial Powers.
3. [§291] Assessment Appeal From Local
Board.
5. No Vested Right.
(a) [§292] In General.
(b) [§293] Discharge of Probationary
Teacher.
(c) [§294] Denial of License or Permit
Application.
(d) Discontinuation of Hospital
Staff Privileges.
(1) Private Hospitals.
(aa) [§295] Former Independent Judgment
Rule.
(bb) [§296] Legislative Repudiation of
Rule.
(2) [§297] Public Hospitals.
(e) [§298] Denial of Application for
Hospital Staff Privileges.
(f) [§299] Economic Interests or
Privileges.
XI. ADMINISTRATIVE MANDAMUS: PROCEDURE
A. [§300] In General.
B. [§301] Venue.
C. [§302] Parties.
D. Petition.
1. [§303] In General.
2. Agencies Not Under
Administrative Procedure Act.
(a) [§304] General Limitation Periods
Apply.
(b) [§305] Shortened Limitations
Period.
(c) [§306] Period Tolled by Failure To
Notify.
3. Agencies Under
Administrative Procedure Act.
(a) [§307] Period and Extensions.
(b) [§308] What Does Not Extend Period.
E. Record.
1. [§309] Content.
2. [§310] Duty To Present Whole
Record.
3. [§311] Obtaining and Filing Record.
4. Free Transcripts for
Indigents.
(a) [§312] Former Rule: No Free
Transcripts.
(b) [§313] Legislative Abrogation of
Rule.
5. Recoverable Costs.
(a) [§314] In General.
(b) [§315] Record Prepared for
Administrative Proceeding.
F. Stay of Decision.
1. [§316] In General.
2. [§317] Court's Power To Require Bond.
G. Subsequent Pleadings.
1. [§318] Answer.
2. [§319] Demurrer.
3. [§320] Return Complying With
Alternative Writ.
4. [§321] Replication by Petitioner.
H. [§322] Summary Determination.
I. Trial.
1. On Administrative Record.
(a) [§323] In General.
(b) [§324] Isolation Approach Is
Discredited.
2. New Evidence.
(a) Where Independent Judgment
Rule Applies.
(1) [§325] In General.
(2) [§326] Limited Discovery.
(3) [§327] Affidavits or Declarations.
(b) Where Substantial Evidence
Rule Applies.
(1) [§328] In General.
(2) [§329] Reasonable Possibility of
Change in Decision.
(3) [§330] Evidence Relating to
Procedural Unfairness.
J. Judgment.
1. Judgment Granting Relief.
(a) [§331] In General.
(b) [§332] Declaratory Relief.
(c) [§333] Enforcement of Judgment.
(d) [§334] Challenging Agency's Statement of Compliance.
2. [§335] Judgment Denying Relief.
K. Appeal.
1. [§336] By Petitioner.