What are the tests for preliminary injunction?

Asked by: Bryce Rippin DDS  |  Last update: May 24, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (54 votes)

To get a preliminary injunction, courts use a four-part test, requiring the moving party to show a likelihood of success on the merits, irreparable harm without relief, that the balance of equities (harms to both sides) favors them, and that the injunction serves the public interest. Some variations exist, but these core factors guide the judge in deciding whether to preserve the status quo before a full trial.

What is the test for a preliminary injunction?

A court needs to examine whether the plaintiff is likely to succeed on the merits, whether the plaintiff is likely to suffer irreparable harm without the injunction, whether the balance of equities and hardships is in the plaintiff's favor, and whether an injunction is in the public interest.

What is the test for an injunction?

Re G [2022] EWCA Civ 1312: test for the court is: whether it is 'just and convenient' to grant an injunction, comprises: • Whether P has an interest that merits protection; and • Whether there is a legal or equitable principle that justifies making an order for someone to do or not do something.

What are the four factors for injunction?

Although the test for obtaining a TRO or PI may vary slightly across jurisdictions, generally a plaintiff seeking preliminary injunctive relief must satisfy a four-factor test: (1) that he or she is likely to succeed on the merits of his claims; (2) that he or she is likely to suffer irreparable harm without ...

What is the first test for the grant of an interim injunction?

+ • Before a court grants a temporary injunction, it needs to be satisfied that a person seeking an injunction has a prima facie case in their favour and that the balance of convenience and possibility of irreparable injury being caused also lies in their favour.

Preliminary Injunctions & Temporary Restraining Orders Explained

30 related questions found

What are the grounds for granting an interim injunction?

An interim injunction is often sought where the other party, if unrestrained, might cause irreparable or immeasurable damage by continuing the conduct which has led to the dispute. Interim injunctions may become permanent if the claimant is successful at trial.

What is the Bonnard rule?

About: Established in Bonnard vs Perryman (1891, United Kingdom); sets the standard that an injunction can only be granted if the court is satisfied the defendant cannot justify the defamation claim, and not just based on suspicion.

What is the burden of proof for a preliminary injunction?

A plaintiff bears the burden of proving that the legal authority that supports its case is well settled as a matter of law. A preliminary injunction should also not issue when material facts are disputed and clear and convincing evidence to support the case is not in the record.

What do you need to prove to get an injunction?

To get an injunction, you need to provide detailed evidence showing you face imminent harm or ongoing abuse, including specific dates, locations, and descriptions of incidents like violence, threats, stalking, or property damage, supported by items such as photos, texts, emails, voicemails, police reports, and witness testimony, all presented in a sworn petition and at a hearing. You'll need the respondent's information and must prove your case meets specific legal criteria, often requiring at least two incidents for repeat violence or a clear relationship for dating/domestic violence. 

On which grounds injunction can be granted?

Principles Governing Grant of Interim Injunction: Following conditions must be fulfilled before grant of ad interim injunction under Order 39, rules 1& 2 CPC : (1) Prima facie case (2) Balance of convenience (3) Irreparable loss (4) Bona fide conduct of the party seeking injunction.

What are common reasons for injunctions?

Have You Been Harmed by Any of the Following Actions?

  • Breach of contract.
  • Release of confidential information.
  • Violation of non-compete agreement.
  • Client privacy violations.
  • Shareholder or partner dispute.
  • Management malpractice.
  • Trademark violation.

How often are injunctions granted?

Last year, the Harvard Law Review published a study reporting that from 1963 until 2023, there were 127 injunctions, of which 92 were imposed from 2001 to 2023.

How powerful is an injunction?

An injunction is extremely powerful, acting as a court order compelling someone to do or stop doing specific actions, offering a crucial remedy when money damages aren't enough, especially to prevent irreparable harm like property damage, trademark infringement, or domestic abuse, with severe penalties (fines, jail) for violations, making it a highly effective but cautiously issued tool.
 

What evidence do you need for an injunction?

To get an injunction, you need to provide detailed evidence showing you face imminent harm or ongoing abuse, including specific dates, locations, and descriptions of incidents like violence, threats, stalking, or property damage, supported by items such as photos, texts, emails, voicemails, police reports, and witness testimony, all presented in a sworn petition and at a hearing. You'll need the respondent's information and must prove your case meets specific legal criteria, often requiring at least two incidents for repeat violence or a clear relationship for dating/domestic violence. 

What is the most common result of a preliminary hearing?

The most common result of a preliminary hearing is that the judge finds probable cause, and the case is held over for trial, meaning charges proceed to the next stage (like a grand jury indictment or trial setting). While dismissal or reduced charges can happen, the prosecution's lower burden of proof (probable cause vs. beyond a reasonable doubt) means most felony cases that reach this stage are sent to trial, even if the defense gains valuable information for later motions. 

What is the standard of review for a preliminary injunction?

The standard for review of a preliminary injunction is whether there is an abuse of discretion with legal conclusions subject to de novo review and findings of fact subject to review for clear error.

What are the four factors of injunction?

To obtain a preliminary injunction, a plaintiff must generally show four things: (i) a likelihood of success on the merits; (ii) irreparable injury; (iii) a balancing of the harms to the parties weighs in favor of the plaintiff; and (iv) the public interest favors the injunction.

What are the grounds for granting an injunction?

Obtaining an injunction involves a complex procedural framework. The initial burden on the applicant is to establish a prima facie case, demonstrating a serious issue to be tried. They must prove that damages alone would be inadequate and that the balance of convenience supports granting the injunction.

What are the three principles of injunction?

While drafting Civil Suits of any kind as well as while seeking certain reliefs even in Writ matters, we often use the three principles of grant of injunction i.e. 'Prima Facie' case, 'Irreparable Injury' and 'Balance of Convenience' to convince the concerned court to either grant an interim injunction during the ...

What are the three burdens of proof?

The three main burdens (or standards) of proof in law are preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not, used in most civil cases), clear and convincing evidence (a higher standard for specific civil matters), and beyond a reasonable doubt (the highest standard, used in criminal cases). These standards dictate the amount and quality of evidence a party must present to prove their case, with criminal cases requiring the most convincing proof due to the potential loss of liberty. 

How can you fight a preliminary injunction?

When a preliminary or temporary injunction has been entered against a defendant, and the defendant believes that injunction is wrongfully issued, he has three choices in resisting the injunction: disobey and risk contempt; move to modify or terminate; or appeal.

Who beats the burden of proof?

In most cases, the burden of proof rests solely on the prosecution, negating the need for a defense of this kind. However, when exceptions arise and the burden of proof has been shifted to the defendant, they are required to establish a defense that bears an "air of reality".

What is the Wednesbury rule?

Crucially, when it actually comes to making the decision, you must not make a decision that is so unreasonable that no reasonable person acting properly could have taken it. These are often called the “Wednesbury principles” after the name of the court case which first established them.

What are the 4 elements of defamation?

The four core elements of defamation (libel or slander) are: a false statement of fact, that it was published (communicated) to a third party, that the speaker acted with at least negligence (or actual malice for public figures), and that it caused actual damages or harm to the plaintiff's reputation, though some categories (defamatory per se) infer harm. 

What is Wickard v. Filburn?

Filburn, 317 U.S. 111 (1942), was a landmark United States Supreme Court decision that dramatically increased the regulatory power of the federal government.