What is an order issued by the court that commands a specific act to be done?

The correct answer is a writ. A writ is a formal written order issued by a court that commands a person to perform or refrain from performing a specific act. Writs are often used to enforce the law or to compel a party to act in accordance with the court’s order. For example, a writ of habeas corpus orders an individual holding someone in custody to bring the detainee before the court to determine if the imprisonment is lawful.

In contrast, a subpoena is a document that orders an individual to appear in court or produce evidence; it does not command an act in the same way a writ does. A mandate generally refers to a directive issued by a higher court to a lower court to enforce its ruling, rather than a direct order for an act to be done. A summons is a notice to a person to appear in court, but it does not command an action like a writ does.

Understanding these distinctions highlights the specific role that a writ plays in the legal process, emphasizing its function as a court order compelling action.