Writ

What Does Writ Mean?

A writ is a legal document issued by a court that either directs a person to do something or prohibits them from doing something. For example, it might be an order granting law enforcement the authority to apprehend a person or a court action intervening in a dispute between two parties. When a writ arises from a personal injury lawsuit or property damage claim, the defendant’s liability coverage often pays for legal defense costs, which is one reason figuring out how much liability insurance you actually need matters before a claim ever happens.

Insuranceopedia Explains Writ

The person who writes and issues a writ is typically a court judge or someone with equivalent authority and responsibility.

There are various types of writs. For instance, a warrant is a writ that directs a police officer to arrest a criminal suspect. A subpoena is a writ that compels an individual to appear in court, even if they are unwilling. Businesses that get served with a writ tied to a civil suit typically rely on their general liability insurance to cover defense costs and any judgments awarded against them.

A writ can also be used to challenge the validity of a court action. For example, a higher court can issue a writ to review the decisions of a lower court. One such writ is the writ of habeas corpus, which examines the constitutional legality of criminal convictions.