The allowance of the writ must be endorsed thereon, signed by the judge of the court granting it, and the writ must be served personally upon the defendant; if the defendant, duly served, neglect to return the same, he shall be proceeded against as for contempt.
§ 1456.Allowance and Service - Neglect to Return
Chapter 26: Mandamus · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified August 3, 2026
In one sentenceSection 1456 requires the judge granting a mandamus writ to endorse its allowance, requires personal service on the defendant, and subjects a defendant who neglects to return the writ after service to contempt proceedings.
Full Text of § 1456
Amendment History
R.L. 1910, § 4912.
Plain-English Summary
Section 1456 covers how a mandamus writ gets finalized and served. The judge who grants it must endorse the allowance on the writ itself, signing it. The writ then must be served personally on the defendant.
If the defendant is properly served but neglects to return the writ, the statute treats that as contempt, and the defendant can be proceeded against accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a mandamus writ served?
Personally on the defendant, per Section 1456.
What must the judge do before the writ is served?
Endorse the allowance on the writ and sign it.
What happens if the defendant ignores the writ after being served?
They can be proceeded against as for contempt.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes, enacted by the Oklahoma Legislature.
Last verified August 3, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: serving mandamus writ oklahomacontempt for ignoring mandamus writ