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.
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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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Create your contractThis content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For contracts with significant financial or legal implications, review by a qualified attorney is recommended.