Was Marbury v. Madison an example of the use of a writ of mandamus?
The writ of mandamus is an extraordinary writ that directs a public official or government department to take an action. It may be sent to the executive branch, the legislative branch, or a lower court. The famous case of marbury v. Madison, 5 U.S. (1 Cranch) 137, 2 L. Ed. 60 (1803), which established the right of judicial review of congressional statutes, was an action for a writ of mandamus. William Marbury asked the court to issue the writ to Secretary of State James Madison, commanding him to deliver his judicial commission. The Court, however, refused to issue the writ of mandamus.
