Mandamus to Review Administrative Action in West Virginia

Limitation by law of governmental action and legal responsibility of officials are ramparts in defense of constitutional democracy. The American people expect all branches of government-executive and legislative, as well as judicial-to protect us against arbitrary official action. Lawyers, however, are primarily interested in judicial restraints and limitations upon officialdom. This article is an examination of the West Virginia law concerning one of the methods used by courts to control administrative officers-the writ of mandamus.