Temporary Restraining Order
What does "Temporary Restraining Order" mean in law?
A temporary restraining order (TRO) is an emergency equitable remedy of very short duration, typically lasting no more than 14 days under federal rules, designed to prevent immediate and irreparable harm before a hearing on a preliminary injunction can be held. Unlike a preliminary injunction, a TRO may be granted ex parte (without notice to the opposing party) when the movant demonstrates that immediate and irreparable injury will result before the adverse party can be heard. The movant must show substantially the same factors as for a preliminary injunction, including likelihood of success on the merits and irreparable harm, and must typically post a security bond. Because TROs are issued on an emergency basis with limited process, courts construe the requirements strictly and treat them as exceptional relief.
Definition
A temporary restraining order (TRO) is an emergency equitable remedy of very short duration, typically lasting no more than 14 days under federal rules, designed to prevent immediate and irreparable harm before a hearing on a preliminary injunction can be held. Unlike a preliminary injunction, a TRO may be granted ex parte (without notice to the opposing party) when the movant demonstrates that immediate and irreparable injury will result before the adverse party can be heard. The movant must show substantially the same factors as for a preliminary injunction, including likelihood of success on the merits and irreparable harm, and must typically post a security bond. Because TROs are issued on an emergency basis with limited process, courts construe the requirements strictly and treat them as exceptional relief.
Example
A business owner obtained an ex parte TRO to prevent a disgruntled former partner from deleting shared company databases over the weekend before a full hearing could be scheduled on Monday.