People ex rel. George E. Mathews & Co. v. City of Buffalo

The writ of mandamus is a process issued by the Supreme Court to some chartered corporate body, officer or person commanding the doing of a public act or duty. It issues on the relation of any person who has a clear legal right to have the act or duty performed, and for the failure to do which there is no other adequate remedy. Through this writ the courts exercise a control over all public officers, corporations and persons. It will compel the performance of a ministerial duty, but will not interfere with an officer whose duties :are strictly judicial, in whom is vested judgment and…