Opinion ID: 1761033
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Temporary Injunction Standard.

Text: The proceedings in the Franklin Circuit Court are not final. So it is important to remember that [a] motion for a temporary injunction does not call for, or justify, an adjudication of the ultimate rights of the parties. [17] Rather, a temporary injunction should issue only where it is clearly shown that one's rights will suffer immediate and irreparable injury pending trial. [18] In other words, a temporary injunction is of a limited scope and duration and is proper only where absolutely necessary to preserve a party's rights pending the trial of the merits. [19] A temporary injunction should not issue in doubtful cases. ... [20] A court faced with a request for a temporary injunction must analyze the request on three levels. First, the trial court should determine whether plaintiff has complied with CR 65.04 by showing irreparable injury. This is a mandatory prerequisite to the issuance of any injunction. Secondly, the trial court should weigh the various equities involved. Although not an exclusive list, the court should consider such things as possible detriment to the public interest, harm to the defendant, and whether the injunction will merely preserve the status quo. Finally, the complaint should be evaluated to see whether a substantial question has been presented. If the party requesting relief has shown a probability of irreparable injury, presented a substantial question as to the merits, and the equities are in favor of issuance, the temporary injunction should be awarded. However, the actual overall merits of the case are not to be addressed in CR 65.04 motions. [21] Because the granting or denial of a temporary injunction under CR 65.04 is addressed to the sound judicial discretion of the trial judge[,] [22] a party seeking interlocutory relief from a trial court's decision to grant or deny a temporary injunction bears an enormous burden. ... [23] And an appellate court may not disturb a trial court's decision on a temporary injunction unless the trial court's decision is a clear abuse of discretion. [24] The test for abuse of discretion is whether the trial judge's decision was arbitrary, unreasonable, unfair, or unsupported by sound legal principles. [25]