Case Name: In the Matter of Antonio Hennis, Petitioner, v. Elizabeth A. Foley et al., Respondents
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 2011-03-08
Citations: 82 A.D.3d 886
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of Antonio Hennis, Petitioner, v Elizabeth A. Foley et al., Respondents.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 82
Pages: 886–887

Head Matter:
In the Matter of Antonio Hennis, Petitioner, v Elizabeth A. Foley et al., Respondents.
[918 NYS2d 354]

Opinion:
"Because of its extraordinary nature, prohibition is available only where there is a clear legal right, and then only when a court — in cases where judicial authority is challenged — acts or threatens to act either without jurisdiction or in excess of its authorized powers" (Matter of Holtzman v Goldman, 71 NY2d 564, 569 [1988]; see Matter of Rush v Mordue, 68 NY2d 348, 352 [1986]). Similarly, the extraordinary remedy of mandamus will lie only to compel the performance of a ministerial act and only when there exists a clear legal right to the relief sought (see Matter of Legal Aid Socy. of Sullivan County v Scheinman, 53 NY2d 12, 16 [1981]).
The petitioner has failed to demonstrate a clear legal right to the relief sought. Prudenti, PJ., Angiolillo, Florio and Sgroi, JJ., concur.