Opinion ID: 1310803
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The propriety of issuing a writ of prohibition or in the alternative a writ of mandamus in this action.

Text: A writ of prohibition will issue where a tribunal has acted without or in excess of the jurisdiction of such tribunal. NRS 34.320; Goicoechea v. District Court, 96 Nev. 287, 289-90, 607 P.2d 1140, 1141 (1980). The purpose of a writ of prohibition is to restrain courts from acting without authority of law in cases where wrong, damage and injustice are likely to follow from such action. Olsen Family Trust v. District Court, 110 Nev. 548, 552, 874 P.2d 778, 781 (1994). Furthermore, a writ of prohibition will only issue when no plain, speedy, and adequate remedy exists at law. Id. We conclude that a petition for an extraordinary writ is proper in this case and that this court should entertain the petition. It appears that Respondent Justices, by entering the confidentiality orders and by authorizing the special master to investigate the sources of breaches of those confidentiality orders, have acted in excess of their jurisdiction. Additionally, because this matter involves members of the highest court in this state, the writ is the only avenue of relief for Petitioner, and no other plain, speedy or adequate remedy exists at law. Finally, the ongoing investigation poses a threat to certain fundamental constitutional rights and guarantees, including freedom of speech, due process, and separation of the branches of government, and therefore a recognized injury may result in the absence of a writ.