Sometimes money cannot fix the harm. An injunction is a court order that requires a party to do a specific act or to refrain from doing a specific act.

Preliminary injunctions preserve the status quo during litigation; permanent injunctions issue after a decision on the merits. Courts weigh irreparable harm, likelihood of success, balance of equities, and public interest when deciding whether to grant relief. Violation of an injunction can lead to contempt sanctions.

Injunctions appear in disputes over intellectual property, land use, employment covenants, and civil rights. Because they coerce future behavior, judges craft them narrowly. A well-drawn injunction gives clear notice of what is required or forbidden.

• Court order compelling or prohibiting conduct
• May be preliminary or permanent
• Requires showing of irreparable harm and other factors
• Enforced through contempt powers