Contract Glossary
Injunctive Relief
Definition
A court order that requires someone to do something (mandatory injunction) or stop doing something (prohibitory injunction). Unlike damages, which compensate after the fact, an injunction prevents harm from happening — or continuing — in real time.
In Practice
If a former employee starts sharing your trade secrets with a competitor, you don't want to wait for a trial to collect damages — the damage compounds every day. You'd seek a temporary restraining order (TRO) or preliminary injunction to stop the disclosure immediately. Courts grant these when you can show irreparable harm and likelihood of winning your case.
Common in these contract types
Related terms
Frequently asked questions about injunctive relief
A temporary restraining order (TRO) is an emergency order — courts can grant one in hours or days, sometimes without hearing from the other side. A preliminary injunction comes after both sides have been heard and lasts until trial. Both stop the harmful behavior, but a TRO is the faster, shorter-term option.
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