Foundations of English Administrative Law: Certiorari and Mandamus in the Seventeenth Century

Supposing that an englishman felt himself hurt by the illegal action of a government official, what could he do? Could he challenge the official action in court with a view to stopping it or obtaining redress for his wrong? Could this be done promptly and easily? In the years 1600-1750, two new legal remedies – new modes of proceeding in the courts – were developed which gave the aggrieved subject quicker and easier relief from illegal action by officials, miss henderson writes. These two new remedies, the writs of mandamus and certiorari, are the basis for modern anglo-american administrative law. Miss henderson traces the development of mandamus and certiorari in england in the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. She gives us first a picture of the structure of local government, both in country and town, pointing out the areas where injustice might occur because of the citizen’s inability to hold the local officials accountable. — ISBN13: 9780674183902