Mandamus

Latin term meaning "we command." A writ issued by a court ordering acorporation, officer, or inferior court to perform an official act or dutyrequired of it by law. For example: A state legislature passes a law whichprovides that, upon request, a person has the right to see any information thegovernment has on file for that person. Kathy files such a request with thestate's attorney general and is refused access to her information. Unless therefusing party can show some compelling need for secrecy, a court will issue awrit of mandamus to the holder of the records, directing that person to releasethe information.