Which action does a writ of mandamus compel?

A writ of mandamus is a court order compelling a government official, agency, or lower court to perform a specific task that is typically required by law or duty. This legal instrument is used when a party is seeking to compel an action that is mandated but is not being fulfilled.

The essence of the writ of mandamus is its function to ensure that legal obligations are met. For instance, if an official fails to carry out a duty required by law—such as issuing a permit that is clearly warranted—the affected parties can petition the court to issue a writ of mandamus to force compliance.

In contrast, options that involve refusal to comply with legal requests, payment of debts, or submission of counterclaims do not accurately reflect the function of a writ of mandamus, since they involve different legal concepts and remedies. A writ of mandamus specifically targets the performance of a designated action, thus making it the correct choice.