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Simple English definitions for legal terms
alternative writ
Read a random definition: Loving v. Virginia
A quick definition of alternative writ:
Term: ALTERNATIVE WRIT
Definition: An alternative writ is a type of legal document that is used to order someone to do something or to stop doing something. It is similar to a regular writ, but it gives the person receiving it a choice between two options. They can either do what the writ asks them to do, or they can go to court and explain why they should not have to do it.
A more thorough explanation:
ALTERNATIVE WRIT
An alternative writ is a type of legal document that orders a person or organization to either do something or explain why they have not done it. It is called "alternative" because it gives the recipient a choice between two options.
For example, a court may issue an alternative writ to a landlord who has not made necessary repairs to a tenant's apartment. The writ would order the landlord to either make the repairs or appear in court to explain why they have not been made.
Another example is a writ of habeas corpus, which is a type of alternative writ that orders a person who is holding someone else in custody to either release the person or provide a legal reason for their detention.
The examples illustrate how an alternative writ works by giving the recipient a choice between two options. In the first example, the landlord can either make the repairs or explain why they have not been made. In the second example, the person holding someone else in custody can either release the person or provide a legal reason for their detention. This type of writ is often used in legal proceedings to ensure that individuals and organizations comply with the law and fulfill their obligations.