A writ that a superior appellate court issues in its discretion to an inferior court, ordering it to p

roduce a certified record of aparticular case it has tried, in order to determine whether any irreg
ularities or errors occurred that justify review of the case.

The writ of certiorari can be issued by the Supreme Court or any High Court for quashing the
order already passed by an inferior court, tribunal or quasi judicial authority. Though prohibition
and certiorari are both issued against Courts or tribunals exercising judicial or quasi-judicial
powers, certiorari is issued to quash the order or decision of the tribunal while prohibition is
issued to prohibit the tribunal from an ultra vires order or decision.

While prohibition is available at an earlier stage, certiorari is available at a later stage, on similar
grounds. The object of both is to secure that the jurisdiction of an inferior court or tribunal is
properly exercised and to see that it does not usurp the jurisdiction for which it does not possess
an authority.

Writ of Certiorari can be issued to the quasi judicial or subordinate courts when they act:

In excess or without any jurisdiction

In contravention to the principles of Natural justice
In violation of the prescribed procedure as established by law
Resulting in an error of judgment apparent on the face of it.