interlocutory

Interlocutory is an adjective, and sometimes a noun, used mainly in legal contexts to describe actions, orders, or rulings that occur during the course of a case and are not final determinations. The term comes from Latin interloqui, meaning to speak between; it is related to the noun interlocutor, a person who takes part in a dialogue. In general usage, it can also relate to dialogue, but in formal writing it most often denotes provisional measures in litigation.

In law, interlocutory matters address ongoing management of the proceedings, preservation of rights, or prevention of irreparable harm while the merits are resolved. Examples include temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, orders to preserve evidence, discovery rulings, and case-management or scheduling orders. These orders are intended to be interim and may be revised before a final judgment.

Interlocutory appeals refer to appeals of such provisional decisions before the case reaches a final judgment. Availability and scope vary by jurisdiction; some systems require permission, certification, or that the order falls within a defined category to be reviewable. Because they are not final, interlocutory decisions are often subject to different standards of review than final judgments.

In linguistic contexts, interlocutory relates to dialogue; an interlocutor is a participant in a conversation. The term thus has both legal and general meanings, though its legal usage is predominant in many common-law jurisdictions.