Mandamus Term Mandamus Meaning We command. A judicial writ issued by a higher court to compel a lower court, government official, or public body to perform a mandatory public duty. Context Legal writ More from Legal Maxims Locus standi Mala fide Malum in se or Mala in se Malum prohibitum Mens rea Misnomer Modus operandi Modus Vivendi More from Legal Maxims