Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-1-2 (2026)

Jurisdiction and powers of court

✓ current as of July 2026
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The supreme court shall have general supervision of all courts of inferior jurisdiction to correct and prevent errors and abuses therein when no other remedy is expressly provided; it may issue writs of habeas corpus, of error, certiorari, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto and all other extraordinary and prerogative writs and processes necessary for the furtherance of justice and the due administration of the law; it may entertain informations in the nature of quo warranto and petitions in equity to determine title to any office; it shall have jurisdiction of petitions for trials and new trials, as provided by law, of bills of exceptions, appeals and certifications to the supreme court, and special cases in which parties having adversary interests concur in stating questions for the opinion of the court as provided by law; and it shall by general or special rules regulate the admission of attorneys to practice in all the courts of the state.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 32 cases, 1964–2015 · leading case: Elizabeth Boyer v. Chief Judge Haiganush Bedrosian, 57 A.3d 259 (R.I. 2012).
Elizabeth Boyer v. Chief Judge Haiganush Bedrosian, 57 A.3d 259 (R.I. 2012). · cites it 4× “13 Finally, a child and parent could seek further review in this Court under G.L.1956 § 8-1-2 14 or G.L.1956 § 14-l-52(a).”
Cicilline v. Almond, 809 A.2d 1101 (R.I. 2002). · cites it 2× “” G.L.1956 § 8-1-2. We can also issue writs of certiorari “and all other extraordinary and prerogative writs and processes necessary for the furtherance of justice and the due administration of the law.”
Providence Journal Co. v. Rodgers, 711 A.2d 1131 (R.I. 1998). · cites it 2× “In contrast, the Presiding Justice’s interpretation, which bars the inspection of any record that contains a reference to the child victim’s name or identity, impermissibly restricts the right of access to information on criminal prosecutions. Taking into account all these…”
State Ex Rel. Town of Middletown v. Anthony, 713 A.2d 207 (R.I. 1998). · cites it 4× “In accordance with this Court's "general, plenary supervisory power over all courts of inferior jurisdiction, statutorily granted in § 8-1-2," [3] In the Matter of Almeida, 611 A.”
State v. Fortes, 330 A.2d 404 (R.I. 1975). · cites it 3× “” In carrying out the mandate of art. XII, §1, the Legislature enacted the Court and Practice Act of 1905.”
Cronan Ex Rel. State v. Cronan, 774 A.2d 866 (R.I. 2001). “General Laws 1956 § 8-1-2 provides in relevant part that this Court "shall have general supervision of all courts of inferior jurisdiction to correct and prevent errors and abuses therein when no other remedy is expressly provided.”
New Harbor Vill., LLC v. Town of New Shoreham Zoning Bd. of Review, 894 A.2d 901 (R.I. 2006). · cites it 2× “See G.L.1956 § 8-1-2. This Court has acknowledged that our appellate jurisdiction is guided by the pronouncements of the Legislature.”
Ventetoulo v. Attorney Gen. RI, 6 F.3d 32 (1st Cir. 1993). “6 R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-1-2 ; Brant v. McSoley, 106 R.”
In the Matter of Keven A. McKenna, 110 A.3d 1126 (R.I. 2015). · cites it 4× “* * * This inherent power derives from the lawyer’s role as an officer of the court which granted 13 This statute is now codified at G.L. 1956 § 8-1-2. 14 This Court went on to explain the historical roots of this institutional structure in common law England.”
Heal v. Heal, 762 A.2d 463 (R.I. 2000). · cites it 2× “It was argued that the standard under § 9-29-21 4 is one of objective reasonableness that is in direct conflict with the subjective good faith standard that the Family Court Rule 11 encompasses, and therefore cannot be the basis for the sanctions ordered here.”
In Re Rhode Island Bar Ass'n, 263 A.2d 692 (R.I. 1970). · cites it 3× “” In referring to the quoted statutory language of §8-1-2, the court said: “This language has long been accepted by common consent to be declaratory of the power inherent in this court to control and supervise the practice of law generally whether in or out of court.”
State v. DeLomba, 370 A.2d 1273 (R.I. 1977). “5 General Laws 1956 (1969 Reenactment) §8-1-2 provides in part as follows: “The Supreme Court shall have general supervision of all courts of inferior jurisdiction to correot and prevent errors and abuses therein when no other remedy is expressly provided * * 6 In Gagnon v.”
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.