(a) Scire Facias—Quo Warranto. The writs of scire facias and quo warranto, and proceedings by information in the nature of quo warranto, are abolished. Relief available under those forms or under the provisions of statutes may be obtained by appropriate action or by appropriate motion under the practice prescribed in these rules.
Rule 91.Applicability of Civil Rules In General.
Last amended January 1, 1963 · Last verified July 6, 2026
In one sentenceRule 91 abolished the old writs of scire facias, quo warranto, and mandamus in Alaska civil practice, folding whatever relief they used to provide into an ordinary action or motion, and confirms the civil rules apply to court proceedings enforcing administrative subpoenas.
Full Text of Rule 91
(b) Mandamus. The writ of mandamus is abolished. Relief heretofore available by mandamus as prescribed by statutes may be obtained by appropriate action or by appropriate motion under the practice prescribed in these rules.
(c) Administrative Subpoenas. These rules are applicable to proceedings in court to compel the giving of testimony or production of documents in accordance with subpoena issued or other authority exercised by an officer or agency of the state, except as otherwise provided by order of the court in the proceedings.
Amendment History
(Adopted by SCO 5 October 9, 1959; amended by SCO 49 effective January 1, 1963)
Plain-English Summary
The writs of scire facias and quo warranto, and proceedings by information in the nature of quo warranto, are abolished; any relief that used to be available through those forms, or under a statute referencing them, is now pursued through an appropriate action or motion under the ordinary practice these rules prescribe. The writ of mandamus is likewise abolished, with its former relief available the same way. The civil rules also apply to a court proceeding to compel testimony or document production under a subpoena issued by a state officer or agency, except as the court orders otherwise in that proceeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still get a writ of mandamus in Alaska civil court?
Not as a separate writ — mandamus has been abolished, but whatever relief it used to provide is available through an ordinary action or motion under the Civil Rules.
Do the Civil Rules apply when a state agency's subpoena needs court enforcement?
Yes — proceedings to compel testimony or document production under a state officer's or agency's subpoena follow the Civil Rules, unless the court orders otherwise in that specific proceeding.
Source & verification. The rule text, Amendment History, and Notes are reproduced verbatim from the
official Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure (Alaska R. Civ. P. 91). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Alaska (Alaska Const. art. IV, § 15). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 6, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: abolished writs Alaska civil rulemandamus Alaska civil procedurewrit of mandamus Alaskaquo warranto AlaskaAlaska R. Civ. P. 91