Quo-warranto definition

kwō wərantō, kwō wəräntō
quo-warrantos
Frequency:
(historical) A writ ordering a person to show by what right he exercises an office, franchise, or privilege.
noun
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A common law writ inquiring into the authority by which a public official claims his/her office.
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A legal proceeding undertaken to recover an office, franchise, or privilege from the person in possession, initiated as upon an information.
noun
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A state action with the intent of revoking the charter of a corporation that has abused or for a long period failed to exercise its franchise.
1
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(law) A writ brought before a proper tribunal, to inquire by what warrant a person or a corporation acts, or exercises certain powers.
noun
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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
quo-warranto
Plural:
quo-warrantos

Quo-warranto Sentence Examples

  • This fair, which is still held, and another on Palm Tuesday, are mentioned in the Quo Warranto roll of 1330.

  • No charter has been found, but a judgment given under a writ of quo warranto in 1578 confirms to the burgesses freedom from toll, passage and pontage, the tolls and stallage of the quay and the right to hold two fairs - privileges which they claimed under charters of Baldwin de Redvers and Isabel de Fortibus, countess of Albemarle, in the 13th century, and Edward Courtenay, earl of Devon, in 1405.

  • Charles directed a writ quo warranto against the corporation of London in 1683, and the Court of King's Bench declared its charter forfeited.

  • The motion was lost but the House resolved to bring in a bill for repealing the Corporation Act, and ten years later (March 5) the Grand Committee of Grievances reported to the House its opinion (I) that the rights of the City of London in the election of sheriffs in the year 1682 were invaded and that such invasion was illegal and a grievance, and (2) that the judgment given upon the Quo Warranto against the city was illegal and a grievance.

  • The supreme court has original jurisdiction in habeas corpus, quo warranto and mandamus proceedings against all state officers; and it has appellate jurisdiction except in civil actions for the recovery of money or personal property, in which the original amount in controversy does not exceed $200, and which at the same time do not involve the legality of a tax, impost, assessment, toll or municipal fine, or the validity of a statute.

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