issued a writ

[GoldfishLord]

A property developer has issued a writ to the High Court over a legal wrangle with Northumberland County Council for its delay in the progression of a 2,000-home housing project.

Source: https://www.publicsectorexecutive.c...rthumberland-council-in-ongoing-13m-legal-row

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1. I don't know much about the law. It seems to me that only a court can issue a writ. How can a property developer issue a writ?
2. What does "issued a writ" mean?

 

[Tarheel]

It's a legal term. I'm not a lawyer. I think a writ instructs somebody to do something, but I'm not certain. If it doesn't explain that adequately in the story then you have to decide how much trouble you want to go to to satisfy your curiosity.

 

[PeterCW]

A property developer has issued a writ to the High Court over a legal wrangle with Northumberland County Council for its delay in the progression of a 2,000-home housing project.

Source: https://www.publicsectorexecutive.c...rthumberland-council-in-ongoing-13m-legal-row

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1. I don't know much about the law. It seems to me that only a court can issue a writ. How can a property developer issue a writ?
2. What does "issued a writ" mean?

You are correct, in England a writ is issued by a court on behalf of the plaintiff. Terminology and procedures may differ in other jurisdictions.

The sentence is badly worded. Native speakers can and do make mistakes with their own language.