Legal Dictionary
Injunction
Definition
A judicial order that restrains a person from beginning or continuing an action threatening or invading the legal right of another.
Deep Dive
An injunction is a judicial order issued by a court that either compels a party to perform a specific act (a mandatory injunction) or, more commonly, prohibits a party from performing a specific act (a prohibitory injunction). It is an equitable remedy, meaning it's granted when monetary damages alone would be insufficient to adequately compensate the injured party or prevent irreparable harm. Injunctions are powerful tools designed to protect legal rights and prevent ongoing or imminent wrongdoing, often before a full trial on the merits can conclude.
Examples & Use Cases
- 1A court issued an injunction preventing a pharmaceutical company from manufacturing and selling a drug that infringed on a competitor's patent.
- 2An environmental group obtained an injunction to stop a construction company from developing wetlands, arguing it would cause irreversible ecological damage.
- 3A preliminary injunction was granted against a former employee, barring them from soliciting clients from their previous employer for a specified period.
Related Terms
Restraining OrderSpecific PerformanceCease and Desist