What type of court order requires the performance of a specified act?

A writ is a formal court order commanding the performance of a specific act. It often directs a person or entity, such as government officials, to take a certain action or to refrain from a specific action. Writs can include various forms, such as a writ of mandamus, which compels a public official to perform a duty, or a writ of execution, which enforces a judgment. The enforceable nature of a writ makes it a crucial instrument within the legal system to ensure compliance with court decisions.

In contrast, res judicata refers to the legal principle that prevents the same case from being tried again once it has been judged and a final decision reached. The statute of frauds is a legal rule requiring certain contracts to be in writing to be enforceable, and the statute of limitations sets a maximum time after an event within which legal proceedings must be initiated. None of these options are designed to command specific actions like a writ does, which solidifies why a writ is the correct answer.