What is a “petition for writ of mandamus”?

In Texas, a petition for writ of mandamus initiates an original appellate proceeding seeking review of a decision (e.g., by a lower court) when the party cannot immediately appeal (i.e., when there is no final judgment and when there is no applicable statute which would allow an interlocutory appeal). In Texas, mandamus is generally pronounced man-DAY-muss, with an emphasis on the second syllable.

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