quo warranto

from The Century Dictionary.

• noun In law, a writ calling upon a person or body of persons to show by what warrant they exercise a public office, privilege, franchise, or liberty. It is the remedy for usurpation of office or of corporate franchises, etc.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

• (Law) A writ brought before a proper tribunal, to inquire by what warrant a person or a corporation acts, or exercises certain powers.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

• noun law A writ brought before a proper tribunal, to inquire by what warrant a person or a corporation acts, or exercises certain powers.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

• noun a hearing to determine by what authority someone has an office or franchise or liberty