A writ of prohibition restrains a body exercising public power from exceeding its powers or usurping jurisdiction which it does not have. That is, it prohibits the decision maker and those relying on the decision from doing something which they are about to do, or from continuing a course of action already commenced, such as taking any further step in proceedings.
The basis upon which the writ is commonly issued is:
A writ of prohibition may be issued for actual or threatened excess of jurisdiction, but not non-jurisdictional error of law on the face of the record.
A writ of prohibition is distinct from:
A writ of certiorari which is an ancillary remedy issued for an act already done such as to quash a decision.
A writ of mandamus which compels the performance of a public duty.
In some cases the court may choose to grant an equitable remedy such as an injunction or declaration instead of a writ of prohibition.