The rule of four refers to what?

• A. Writ of Mandamus
• B. Petition for Certiorari
• C. Judicial Review
• D. Rule of Four

Answer: (D)

The rule of four is the decision rule used by the Supreme Court to decide which cases it will hear. It requires that at least four justices vote to grant a petition for certiorari, allowing the Court to review a lower court’s decision. This threshold keeps the docket manageable while giving a minority of justices the power to bring important questions up for consideration, especially when a case presents a significant federal issue or resolves conflicts among lower courts. The rule of four specifically governs petitions for certiorari and is not about ordering writs to compel action (that would be a writ of mandamus), nor is it the general power of judicial review or the act of filing the certiorari petition itself.