AUDITA QUERELA

audita   querela   (aw-dI-t<<schwa>>   kw<<schwa>>-ree-l<<schwa>>).   [Law   Latin   “the

complaint having been heard”] A writ available to a judgment debtor who seeks a rehearing of a

matter on grounds of newly discovered evidence or newly existing legal defenses. [Cases: Audita

Querela    1. C.J.S. Audita Querela § 2.]

“The writ of audita querela (= quarrel having been heard) … , introduced during the time of

Edward  III,  was  available  to  re-open  a  judgment  in  certain  circumstances.  It  was  issued  as  a

remedy  to  defendant  where  an  im-portant  matter  concerning  his  case  had  arisen  since  the

judgment.  Its  issue  was  based  on  equitable,  rather  than  common  law  principles.”  L.B.  Curzon,

English Legal History 103 (2d ed. 1979).

“Audita querela is distinguished from coram nobis in that coram nobis attacks the judgment

itself, whereas audita querela may be directed against the enforcement, or further enforcement, of

a judgment which when rendered was just and unimpeachable.” 7A C.J.S. Audita Querela § 2, at

901 (1980).[Blacks Law 8th]