The petition must be filed within 90 days of final judgment or denial of rehearing. Review is discretionary, with the Court granting a small fraction of petitions, principally to resolve conflicts among lower courts.
Format and length are strictly governed by rule.
Alternative Names:
Cert Petition, Certiorari Petition
Why it Matters?
A genuine and acknowledged conflict among circuits or state courts of last resort is the only reliable ground, and petitions arguing error without a conflict are denied almost uniformly. Documenting the conflict precisely, identifying which courts have taken which position, is the petition's central work. Amicus support from affected industries signals importance and measurably improves prospects.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
What ground supports certiorari?
Does amicus support matter?
