What is a formal written order issued by a legal authority called?

A formal written order issued by a legal authority is referred to as a writ. This term has specific legal significance and is commonly used in court systems. A writ is a formal written command issued by a court or other legal authority that requires the person to whom it is addressed to perform or refrain from performing a specified act. There are various types of writs, such as writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, and injunctions, each serving different legal purposes.

While ‘document’ is a broad term that encompasses any written or printed work, and ‘order’ can be more generic and may not necessarily imply a formal directive from a legal authority, ‘mandate’ often refers to an authoritative command, sometimes used in specific contexts like legislative or international law but does not generally refer to the formal legal command that a writ signifies. Therefore, ‘writ’ is the precise term for a formal order issued by legal authority.