certiorari
A term to know.
Latin for "to be more fully informed." A writ of certiorari generally refers to an order by a higher court directing a lower court, tribunal, or public authority to send the record in a given case for review. Within the context of the Supreme Court of the United States, few cases can be heard as a "matter of right," so cases are usually heard only if four out of the nine Justices feel a matter is sufficiently important.