Shiny Happy People. An elderly patient admitted into the E.R. for a heart condition sees a familiar face, a long lost love who happens to be in the E.R. as well for a fractured arm, and the staff find ...
A writ of certiorari is a petition for appeal to a higher court as of discretion to be granted by the higher court and not an appeal by right. Writs are generally filed as extraordinary relief requesting court intervention at the higher level to settle an issue at the lower court.
This rule states that only four of the nine Supreme Court justices are required to grant a writ of certiorari (agreeing to hear the case). Such a practice prevents the formation of a majority (five justices or more) dominating the Supreme Court's planned agenda.