What is the term used for the Supreme Court's practice of deciding whether to hear a case?

The term used for the Supreme Court's practice of deciding whether to hear a case is "Power of Certiorari." This refers specifically to the Court's discretionary power to choose which cases it will review from the appeals submitted to it. When the Supreme Court issues a writ of certiorari, it agrees to hear the case, which typically indicates that it has determined there is a significant legal question or a conflict in the lower courts that needs resolution.

This process is significant because the Court receives thousands of petitions for certiorari each year, but only a small percentage are selected for hearing. The decision to grant certiorari is based on various factors, including the importance of the issues presented, whether the lower courts disagree on the matter, and potential impact on the law.

In contrast, judicial review refers to the authority of the Supreme Court to invalidate laws and executive actions that are deemed unconstitutional. A writ of mandamus is a court order compelling a government official to act in accordance with the law, while case law refers to the body of law established through judicial decisions, as opposed to statutes or regulations. These terms describe different aspects of the legal process but do not encompass the specific function of the Court's decision-making in accepting cases.