Ex parte is another term for an emergency. An ex parte restraining order is an emergency order put in place by the judge. The protected party makes an application in court and the judge decides on the spot whether to enter one. Either way, there is a hearing. However, when the judge decides there is imminent danger, they must enter the emergency order to protect the party until the hearing. When an ex parte restraining order is not put into place, the party is not protected until the date of the hearing.