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Under a local ordinance, the City Treasurer of Metropolis City is supposed to issue a business permit to an applicant who has (1) paid the annual fee, (2) submitted all required documents, and (3) attested compliance with health and zoning rules. After completing all requirements and paying, the applicant, Miguel Santos, is informed that the permit was denied due to an "administrative backlog" and the City Treasurer issues no decision. Miguel files a petition for mandamus under Rule 65 to compel the City Treasurer to issue the permit. The Court of Appeals denies the petition. (a) Identify the central doctrine tested by this scenario and the controlling remedy. (b) Distinguish the remedy of mandamus from an ordinary civil action. (c) Apply the rule to determine whether Miguel’s petition for mandamus is proper and why.