Injunctions

An injunction is a court order that compels a person or entity to do something or to refrain from a particular action. It can be prohibitory (restraining someone from acting) or mandatory (requiring an affirmative action). In many legal systems, short-term orders such as a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction may be issued before a full hearing, potentially giving way to a permanent injunction if the case is decided in the movant’s favor.

In common law and civil procedure, injunctions are equitable remedies. They are typically used when monetary damages would be insufficient to prevent irreparable harm or to preserve the status quo pending resolution of the dispute. Courts grant or deny injunctions based on jurisdiction-specific standards and the facts of the case.

Most systems require a movant to show a combination of factors. In many jurisdictions the key elements include a likelihood of success on the merits, irreparable harm if the injunction is not issued, inadequacy of monetary damages as a remedy, and a balance of equities or public interest favoring the injunction. Some rules also require that the injunction be narrowly tailored to address only the threatened harm.

Types of injunctions include preliminary (or interlocutory) injunctions granted before a full hearing, temporary restraining orders that are typically short-term and often issued ex parte, and permanent or final injunctions issued after a full hearing. Injunctions may be prohibitory or mandatory and can be conditioned, modified, or dissolved by the court.

Violations of an injunction can lead to contempt of court, with penalties such as fines or imprisonment. Injunctions are widely used in areas such as intellectual property, contract disputes, antitrust, and domestic or workplace protection orders, reflecting their role in preventing harm while legal rights are adjudicated.