Answer:
The answer is when parties who are not pleased with the decision of a lower court must petition the US Supreme Court to hear their case.
Explanation:
The writ of certiorari consists in a request send to the Supreme Court to order a lower court to send up the record of the case for review. There is no obligation of the Supreme Court to hear these cases, it only happens if could have national significance, or might harmonize conflicting decisions in the federal circuit courts, or could have precedential value.
The supreme Court has its own set of rules. Four of the nine Justices must vote to accept the case. Five of the nine Justices must vote in order to grant stay. Each Justice is allowed to have three to four law clerks per Court term. If the Justices decide to accept a case the case is placed on the docket. The court hear oral arguments, which are open to public. When the oral arguments are finished the Justices have to decide the case.
