Opinion ID: 6982233
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Showing Required for Preliminary Injunction

Text: In most cases, a party seeking a preliminary injunction must demonstrate (1) that it will be irreparably harmed in the absence of an injunction, and (2) either (a) a likelihood of success on the merits or (b) sufficiently serious questions going to the merits of the case to make them a fair ground for litigation, and a balance of hardships tipping decidedly in its favor. See, e.g., Genesee Brewing Co. v. Stroh Brewing Co., 124 F.3d 137, 142 (2d Cir.1997). One exception to the ordinary standard is that, where a preliminary injunction is sought against government action taken in the public interest pursuant to a statutory or regulatory scheme, the less-demanding “fair ground for litigation” standard is inapplicable, and therefore a “likelihood of success” must be shown. See International Dairy Foods Ass’n v. Amestoy, 92 F.3d 67, 70 (2d Cir.1996). This higher standard reflects judicial deference toward “legislation or regulations developed through presumptively reasoned democratic processes.” Able v. United States, 44 F.3d 128, 131 (2d Cir.1995) (per curiam). An even more rigorous standard — requiring a “clear” or “substantial” showing of likelihood of success — applies where “(i) an injunction will alter, rather than maintain, the status quo, or (ii) an injunction will provide the movant with substantially all the relief sought and that relief cannot be undone even if the defendant prevails at a trial on the merits.” Tom Doherty Assocs. v. Saban Ent., Inc., 60 F.3d 27, 33-34 (2d Cir.1995). Plaintiffs contend that the “regulatory scheme” exception should not apply to this case, because federal disability statutes, with their requirement of “reasonable accommodations,” are designed to prevent rigid enforcement of even presumptively valid governmental rules. 5 We need not reach this issue, however, because we would require a “clear” or “substantial” showing of likelihood of success on the merits whether or not the exception were applicable. The preliminary injunction sought by plaintiffs in this case would lead to significant and essentially irreversible alterations to the status quo. Specifically, plaintiffs maintain that a preliminary injunction is necessary to prevent delays in occupation of the Facility — that is, to allow the demolition of existing structures at the Site and the construction of the Facility to proceed during the pendency of this litigation. 6 Under these • circumstances, the district court did not err by requiring plaintiffs to demonstrate, in addition to irreparable harm, at least a “likelihood of success” on the merits.