Court Opinion

ID: 9463644
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 23:12:03.889501+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:38:12.527942
License: Public Domain

LAY, Circuit Judge,
concurring.
I concur in Judge Ross’ opinion. However, I think it is time that this court reconsider the traditional test for the issuance of a preliminary injunction as set forth in Minnesota Bearing Go. v. White Motor Corp., 470 F.2d 1323, 1326 (8th Cir. 1973). The traditional test for the issuance of a preliminary injunction has been the showing of both irreparable harm as well as requiring that the movant assume the burden of showing probability of success at trial. The Second Circuit and the Ninth Circuit have indicated that there is an alternative basis for granting a preliminary injunction which is. more realistic and, in my judgment, should be considered by the federal district court. This test was recently approved in Aguirre v. Chula Vista Sanitary Service and Sani-Tainer, Inc., 542 F.2d 779, 781 (9th Cir. 1976), in which the court said:
In Gresham v. Chambers, 501 F.2d 687, 691 (2d Cir. 1974), the Second Circuit held that a preliminary injunction should issue “. . . upon a clear showing of either (1) probable success on the merits and possible irreparable injury, or (2) sufficiently serious questions going to the merits to make them a fair ground for litigation and a balance of hardships tipping decidedly toward the party requesting the preliminary relief.” This circuit has adopted the Gresham test. See William Inglis & Sons Baking Co. v. ITT Continental Baking Co., 526 F.2d 86, 88 (9th Cir. 1975). On remand, the district court should balance the relative hardship to the parties that would result from granting or denying a preliminary injunction. If the balance tips decidedly toward plaintiffs, and if plaintiffs have raised questions serious enough to require litigation, the injunction should issue. .
In applying this alternative test and balancing the factual analysis set forth by Judge Ross, I would find nonetheless that the district court abused its discretion in granting the preliminary injunction.