quo warranto

American  

[kwoh waw-ran-toh, wo-] / kwoʊ wɔˈræn toʊ, wɒ- /

noun

Law.

1. (formerly, in England) a writ calling upon a person to show by what authority they claim an office, franchise, or liberty.

2. (in England and the United States) a trial, hearing, or other legal proceeding initiated to determine by what authority one has an office, franchise, or liberty.

3. the pleading initiating a trial, hearing, or other legal proceeding initiated to determine by what authority one has an office, franchise, or liberty.

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quo warranto British  

/ ˈkwəʊ wɒˈræntəʊ /

noun

1. law a proceeding initiated to determine or (formerly) a writ demanding by what authority a person claims an office, franchise, or privilege

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Etymology

Origin of quo warranto

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Medieval Latin quō warrantō “by what warrant”

Example Sentences

The filing asks the state's highest court to grant a rarely used writ of quo warranto to oust Wu from his office.

From BBC • Aug. 5, 2025

First, quo warranto actions are mechanisms for ensuring honest corporate governance.

From Slate • Jul. 25, 2017

As he put it, “State attorneys general can bring quo warranto proceedings to access information about whether the entities are conduits for illegal emoluments.”

From Slate • Feb. 15, 2017

If quo warranto action was instituted in an unfriendly court, the Governor might well find himself judicially barred from concluding his term.

From Time Magazine Archive

The reign of Charles II. did not, however, conclude without involving the companies in additional anxiety, occasioned by the King's arbitrary interference in their affairs by his quo warranto proceedings.

From Memorials of Old London Volume I by Ditchfield, P. H. (Peter Hampson)