Opinion ID: 2450792
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Nature and History of the Common Law Writ

Text: Section 27-801, T.C.A., provides: The writ of certiorari may be granted whenever authorized by law, and also in all cases where an inferior tribunal, board, or officer exercising judicial functions has exceeded the jurisdiction conferred, or is acting illegally, when, in the judgment of the court, there is no other plain, speedy, or adequate remedy. Section 27-802, T.C.A., provides: Certiorari lies: (1) On suggestion of diminution; (2) where no appeal is given; (3) as a substitute for appeal; (4) instead of audita querela; (5) instead of writ of error. These two Code sections appeared in the Code of 1858 as Sections 3123 and 3124, respectively, and it is doubtful that they were intended to apply to the appellate courts. [2] This, however, is of no significance, since they track the common law. The writ of certiorari does not owe its existence to constitutional provision [3] or statutory enactment. Tennessee Central Railroad Co. v. Campbell, 109 Tenn. 640, 645, 75 S.W. 1012, 1012 (1903). It is a common law writ of ancient origin and has been characterized as extraordinary, remedial, revisory, supervisory, and prerogative. [4] C.