A formal written order issued by a court or other legal authority commanding someone to do or refrain from doing a specific act. Writs are fundamental tools for courts to exercise their jurisdiction and enforce legal rights.
From Old English 'writ,' meaning 'something written,' derived from the verb 'writan' (to write). Writs were essential in medieval English law as formal written commands from the king's courts, establishing the foundation of common law procedure.
Writs are like legal magic spells - these ancient written commands have such power that ignoring one can land you in jail for contempt, and some writs like habeas corpus can literally force the government to justify why they're holding someone prisoner!
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