Opinion ID: 475326
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Duration of Preliminary Injunction

Text: 41 Finally, we consider the duration of this preliminary injunction. We note with concern the delay that has accompanied the dispute. At oral argument we asked counsel whether a trial date had been fixed or was reasonably foreseeable. We were given no encouraging assurances that the case would proceed to trial on the merits in the near future. 42 It is clear that plaintiffs have received all, indeed more than, the relief to which they are entitled. Having obtained this relief, they appear to have little or no incentive to press for a trial on the merits. We do not countenance such delay. This case should have been tried and decided long ago. 43 We do not suggest that the district judge was responsible for any of this delay because we suspect that the parties are to blame. 44 We have previously pointed out that we can assist very little in the final resolution of critical legal and factual issues until a permanent injunction is granted or denied. Zepeda, 753 F.2d at 723. Our observations in Zepeda apply here: 45 Furthermore, in many cases, appeal of a district court's preliminary injunction order will result in unnecessary delay to the parties and inefficient use of judicial resources. We think it likely that this case, for instance, could have proceeded to a disposition on the merits in far less time than it took to process this preliminary appeal. The parties, apparently have made no effort in the district court to finalize this litigation.... In addition, our disposition of this appeal will affect the rights of the parties only until the district court renders judgment on the merits of the case, at which time the losing party may appeal again. One properly may wonder whether this is an efficient use of limited judicial facilities. 46 Id. at 724 (citation omitted). 47 The preliminary injunction will be terminated on October 28, 1986, one year from its entry. 48 We remand with instructions to modify the injunction as directed by this opinion.