Opinion ID: 2348937
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Writs Serve as Extraordinary Remedy

Text: A writ of prohibition is an extraordinary remedy. State ex. rel . Chassaing v. Mummert, 887 S.W.2d 573, 577 (Mo. banc 1994). It is an appropriate remedy, however, when a subpoena has issued in a circuit court proceeding requesting material that is protected from discovery. State ex rel. Boone Ret. Ctr., Inc. v. Hamilton, 946 S.W.2d 740, 741 (Mo. banc 1997). This is because the damage to the party against whom discovery is sought is both severe and irreparable if the privileged material is produced and this damage cannot be repaired on appeal. Id. (internal quotes omitted). As damage may be severe and irreparable in the grand jury context as well, prohibition is appropriate to prevent a grand jury from compelling production of work product. See State ex rel. Friedman v. Provaznik, 668 S.W.2d 76, 81 (Mo. banc 1984) (quashing the writ but not denying its appropriateness within the grand jury context).