DEFINITION OF TERMS

Appeal
An appeal is the act or fact of challenging a judicially cognizable and binding
judgment to a higher judicial authority. In common law jurisdictions, most commonly,
this means formally filing a notice of appeal with a lower court, indicating one's
intention to take the matter to the next higher court with jurisdiction over the matter,
and then actually filing the appeal with the appropriate appellate court.

Writ
In law, a writ is a formal written order issued by a body with administrative or judicial
jurisdiction. In modern usage, this public body is normally a court. Warrants,
prerogative writs, and subpoenas are types of writs, but there are many others.

Certiorari
Certiorari is a legal term in Roman, English and American law referring to a type of
writ seeking judicial review. An order of certiorari is given by a senior court to reverse
the actions of a lower court or other (quasi)-governmental organisation which has
made a decision. Historically, certiorari was a prerogative writ used to direct a lower
court or tribunal to certify for review the "record" in the case.

SOURCE: www.wikipedia.com

What is an appeal?

- takes place after a case has been decided in the trial courts
- the party who lost is called the appellant, the party who won is called the
appellee
- the appellate court has the power to affirm or reverse the ruling
- appellate courts review the legal issues
- appellate courts issue explain their decisions in written opinions
- if there has been serious errors committed in the case at hand, the
appellate court can even order a new trial to be held

source: http://www.in.gov/judiciary/about/02-appeal.html

What is a writ?

- written order from the judge requiring specific action from whom the writ is
addressed

source: http://dictionary.law.com

What is a certiorari?

- a writ from the higher courts to a lower court to send all documents of a case
to them so they can review the lower court’s decision
- to appeal to the Supreme Court, one can appeal for a writ of certiorari

source: http://dictionary.law.com