Quick Resource Guide: Administrative Mandamus

How to begin

If you are unhappy with the agency’s decision, you can use an Administrative Writ of Mandamus to ask the Superior Court to review the final decision made by an administrative agency.  The following guides explain the process and include links to form templates and instructions that you can use to create your own document.

• • Administrative Hearings and Appeals (Sacramento County Law Library) This page provides templates for appealing decisions from the Labor Commission and the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board.
  • Writ of Administrative Mandamus Guide: Intro and Overview (San Diego County Law Library)  
  • Writ of Administrative Mandamus Guide (PDF, external)  (San Mateo County Law Library)

Videos

LA Law Library

• • Writs: How to Challenge Government Agency Decisions  In this class, learn about the process for challenging administrative decisions in superior court through what is called a “writ of mandate.”  Writs are different from other kinds of civil lawsuits and the procedures and terminology can be complicated.

Books

• • California Administrative Mandamus, KFC782 .D4 2003, shelf 114A.  Also available online via CEB OnLaw.
  • California Practice Guide: Administrative law, KFC780 .A975 2014, chapters 13-21, shelf 114A.  Also available online via Westlaw.
  • California Forms of Pleading and Practice, KFC1010 .A65 C3, volume 41A, chapters 474 – 474C, shelf 106A.  Also available online via Lexis and the Lexis Digital Library.

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The Legal Advice Line provides counsel and advice in all languages on a range of civil legal issues. Attorneys may give a caller legal advice, schedule eligible clients for an appointment in a neighborhood office or provide the caller with a helpful referral to other social services organizations, when appropriate.

• • Address:  1735 Telegraph Ave. Oakland, CA (510) 663-4744
  • Legal Advice Line (510) 250-5270 or 1 (800) 551-5544  Hours vary.  See website for current Legal Advice Line hours.
  • Bay Area Legal Aid Website

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• • Address: 125 12^th St. Oakland, CA Mezzanine Level
  • Phone:  Visit the website to view BALI attorneys and get individual contact information.
  • Bay Area Legal Incubator Website

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• • $40.00 administrative fee for an attorney referral and 30-minute consultation.  Attorneys charge $200 – 400/hour for services.
  • Phone:  (510) 302-2222 x4
  • Self-book consultations online

California State Bar Attorney Referrals
The California State Bar hosts a certified lawyer referral service search page.  The organizations are certified by the State Bar and can be identified by their State Bar certification number or mark in all advertising.  Certified Lawyer Referral Services in California are managed by a variety of associations, legal service programs, and other organizations.  They operate independently from the State Bar.  You can also  find certified services in your county.

 

Updated 4.9.2026