Opinion ID: 1965352
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Applicable law regarding certiorari.

Text: Certiorari under rule 306 of our Iowa rules of civil procedure is an action at law to test the legality of an action taken by a court or tribunal. Sergeant Bluff-Luton Sch. Dist. I, 562 N.W.2d at 156. A city exercising a governmental function is a tribunal within the meaning of rule 306. Id. Iowa rule of civil procedure 307(c) provides: The petition [for writ of certiorari] must be filed within thirty days from the time the tribunal, board or officer exceeded its jurisdiction or otherwise acted illegally. An extension of such time, however, may be allowed by the reviewing court upon a showing that failure to file the petition within the time provided was due to a failure of the tribunal, board or officer to notify the petitioner of the action complained of. Any motion for extension of time shall be filed with the clerk of the court in which the writ of certiorari is sought within 90 days of the action complained of. The motion and any resistance may be supported by copies of relevant portions of the record of the proceedings complained of, and by affidavits, and no other form of evidence will be received. For purposes of rule 307(c), the time at which a tribunal acted illegally occurs when the underlying proceeding becomes final. Rater v. Iowa Dist. Ct., 548 N.W.2d 588, 590 (Iowa App.1996). An untimely petition for writ of certiorari deprives the reviewing court of subject matter jurisdiction. Madyun v. Iowa Dist. Ct., 544 N.W.2d 441, 443 (Iowa 1996); accord Greene v. Iowa Dist. Ct., 312 N.W.2d 915, 919 (Iowa 1981).