preliminary injunction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'preliminary injunction' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when a court order is issued to prevent a party from taking an action before legal proceedings have been completed. For example: "The court issued a preliminary injunction to prevent the defendant from continuing with the project until the case had been fully adjudicated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A preliminary injunction issued.

Cornell University

A preliminary injunction was granted.

Cornell University

Judge Patel ordered the preliminary injunction.

The New York Times

The request for preliminary injunction is denied.

The New York Times

The District Court denied the preliminary injunction.

Harvard University

A preliminary injunction was issued as prayed.

Cornell University

He also turned the temporary order into a preliminary injunction.

The New York Times

The Obama administration should appeal Judge Leon's preliminary injunction.

The New York Times

A hearing on a preliminary injunction is scheduled for Tuesday.

The New York Times

Before the Court is the plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injunction.

The New York Times

Ginn did indeed lose his preliminary injunction in October.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal documents, always define the specific actions that the "preliminary injunction" prohibits to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Do not assume a "preliminary injunction" is a final resolution. It is temporary and requires further court proceedings to determine a permanent outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary injunction" functions as a noun phrase identifying a specific type of court order. Ludwig AI confirms its use in legal contexts to describe an immediate, though temporary, halt to certain actions pending further legal proceedings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

47%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "preliminary injunction" is a legal term that describes a temporary court order preventing specific actions until a final judgment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used in legal and news contexts. Its purpose is to halt potentially harmful activities, and while it is a powerful tool, it is not a final resolution. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Academic sources. For alternatives, one might consider "temporary restraining order" or "injunction pendente lite" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

injunction pendente lite

This is a Latin term that directly translates to "injunction during litigation."

temporary restraining order

This is a short-term measure, often preceding a hearing on a preliminary injunction.

pre-trial injunction

Highlights that the injunction occurs before the full trial proceedings.

interim court order

This phrase emphasizes the temporary nature of the order issued by the court.

provisional ban

Focuses on the prohibiting aspect of the injunction, highlighting its temporary nature.

temporary prohibition

This alternative highlights the action being prohibited and its time-limited enforcement.

initial restraining order

Focuses on the beginning stages of the legal restriction.

emergency stay

This phrase is used when immediate action is needed to halt a process, prior to a full hearing.

immediate court halt

This phrase emphasizes the immediate cessation of activity ordered by the court.

short-term restraining order

Emphasizes the brevity and restrictive nature of the legal action.

FAQs

What is the purpose of a "preliminary injunction"?

A "preliminary injunction" is a court order issued early in a lawsuit to prevent a party from taking a particular action until the court can make a final decision on the case. Its purpose is to prevent irreparable harm from occurring while the case is pending.

How does a "temporary restraining order" differ from a "preliminary injunction"?

A "temporary restraining order" (TRO) is granted for a very short term, often without notice to the opposing party, to prevent immediate harm. A "preliminary injunction" requires a hearing and lasts longer, typically until the end of the trial.

What happens after a "preliminary injunction" is granted?

After a "preliminary injunction" is granted, the case proceeds through the legal process, which may include discovery, motions, and ultimately a trial. The court will then decide whether to make the injunction permanent or dissolve it.

What are some alternatives to seeking a "preliminary injunction"?

Depending on the situation, alternatives might include seeking a "temporary restraining order", negotiating a settlement with the opposing party, or pursuing other legal remedies that don't involve halting the action immediately.