Dictionary of Law
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enjoin :: legal definition


Enjoin - v. for a court to order that someone either do a specific act, cease a course of conduct or be prohibited from committing a certain act. To obtain such an order, called an injunction, a private party or public agency has to file a petition for a writ of injunction, serve it on the party he/she/it hopes to be enjoined, allowing time for a written response. Then a court hearing is held in which the judge will consider evidence, both written and oral, listen to the arguments and then either grant the writ or deny it. If granted the court will issue a final or permanent injunction. A preliminary injunction or temporary injunction is an order made by the court while the matter is being processed and considered, based on the petition and any accompanying declarations, either of which is intended to keep matters in status quo (as they are) or prevent possible irreparable harm (like cutting trees, poisoning a stream or moving out of the country with a child or money) until a final decision is made.

See also: injunction temporary injunction and Related Law Terms ↓


Related Law Terms

adequate remedy :: n. a remedy (money or performance) awarded by a co ... es it, giving cause for his arrest.
alimony :: n. support paid by one ex-spouse to the other as o ... ild support divorce spousal support
amend :: v. to alter or change by adding, subtracting, or s ... mended pleading statute stipulation
amicus curiae :: n. Latin for "friend of the court," a party or an ... party's presentation to the court.
ancillary jurisdiction :: n. a term used in federal courts when the court de ... ine. See also: pendent jurisdiction
appeal :: 1) v. to ask a higher court to reverse the decisio ... ng, as in "he has filed an appeal."
appearance :: n. the act of a party or an attorney showing up in ... neral appearance special appearance
arbitration :: n. a mini-trial, which may be for a lawsuit ready ... tance of the arbitrator's decision.
attachment :: n. the seizing of money or property prior to getti ... bond. See also: writ of attachment
bailiff :: n. 1) a court official, usually a deputy sheriff, ... isdictional territory of a bailiff.
bankruptcy :: n. a federal system of statutes and courts which p ... y proceedings trustee in bankruptcy
certiorari :: n. (sersh-oh-rare-ee) a writ (order) of a higher c ... cedents (previously decided cases).
claim in bankruptcy :: n. the written claim filed by persons or businesse ... : bankruptcy bankruptcy proceedings
clean hands doctrine :: n. a rule of law that a person coming to court wit ... ices. See also: affirmative defense
complaint :: n. the first document filed with the court (actual ... g prayer service of process summons
conclusion of law :: n. a judge's final decision on a question of law w ... aw if requested. See also: judgment
conservator :: n. a guardian and protector appointed by a judge t ... ies. See also: conservatee guardian
contempt of court :: n. there are essentially two types of contempt: a) ... roduce evidence. See also: sanction
cost bill :: n. a list of claimed court costs submitted by the ... also: court costs prevailing party
court costs :: n. fees for expenses that the courts pass on to at ... ee also: cost bill prevailing party
declaratory judgment :: n. a judgment of a court which determines the righ ... ys it. See also: declaratory relief
deed :: 1) n. the written document which transfers title ( ... veyance deed of trust warranty deed
deposition :: n. the taking and recording of testimony of a witn ... See also: deponent depose discovery
discovery :: n. the entire efforts of a party to a lawsuit and ... ee also: deposition interrogatories
divorce :: 1) n. the termination of a marriage by legal actio ... y separate property spousal support
equity :: n. 1) a venerable group of rights and procedures t ... ry enjoin equitable injunction writ
ex parte :: (ex par-tay, but popularly, ex party) adj. Latin m ... and place of any ex parte hearing.
execution :: n. 1) the act of getting an officer of the court t ... so: death penalty writ of execution
file :: 1) v. to deposit with the clerk of the court a wri ... rrespondence and notes on the case.
final settlement :: n. an agreement reached by the parties to a lawsui ... rneys present. See also: settlement
friendly suit :: n. a lawsuit filed in order to obtain a court orde ... eement in which there was an error.
gag order :: n. a judge's order prohibiting the attorneys and t ... st day in office, January 22, 1993.
garnish :: v. to obtain a court order directing a party holdi ... ed. See also: garnishee garnishment
guardian :: n. a person who has been appointed by a judge to t ... torship. See also: conservator ward
habeas corpus :: (hay-bee-us core-puss) n. Latin for "you have the ... nality of a state court conviction.
harmless error :: n. an error by a judge in the conduct of a trial w ... ar to be harmless." See also: error
hearsay rule :: n. the basic rule that testimony or documents whic ... interest dying declaration hearsay
indispensable party :: n. a person or entity which must be included in a ... tion to join Olivia as a defendant.
injunction :: n. a writ (order) issued by a court ordering someo ... t. See also: injunctive relief writ
injunctive relief :: n. a court-ordered act or prohibition against an a ... t injunction restraining order writ
insanity :: n. mental illness of such a severe nature that a p ... M'Naughten rule temporary insanity
interpleader :: n. the procedure when two parties are involved in ... e claimants fight over it in court.
interrogatories :: n. a set of written questions to a party to a laws ... ing. See also: deposition discovery
irreparable damage or injury :: n. the type of harm which no monetary compensation ... also: equity injunction remedy writ
joint and several :: adj. referring to a debt or a judgment for neglige ... ution contributory negligence joint
judge :: 1) n. an official with the authority and responsib ... ice justice of the peace magistrate
judgment :: n. the final decision by a court in a lawsuit, cri ... ous with judgment. See also: decree
judicial sale :: n. a sale of goods by an official (keeper, trustee ... o be sold. See also: sheriff's sale
jurisdiction :: n. the authority given by law to a court to try ca ... Superior Court Supreme Court venue
jury fees :: n. the rather minimal amount paid each day to juro ... ees as a court cost. See also: jury
last clear chance :: n. a rule of law in determining responsibility for ... contributory negligence negligence
libel :: 1) n. to publish in print (including pictures), wr ... libel per se public figure slander
malpractice :: n. An act or continuing conduct of a professional ... eed. See also: errors and omissions
mandamus :: (man-dame-us) n. Latin for "we order," a writ (mor ... mandamus. See also: writ of mandate
mandate :: n. 1) any mandatory order or requirement under sta ... See also: mandamus writ of mandate
marshal :: 1) n. a federal court official who may serve paper ... tablish priorities among creditors.
matter of record :: n. anything, including testimony, evidence, ruling ... cussions not written down or taped.
modification :: n. a change in an existing court order or judgment ... terms of child support and custody.
motion :: n. a formal request made to a judge for an order o ... g, an oral motion may be permitted.
motion for a summary judgment :: n. a written request for a judgment in the moving ... strict procedures. See also: motion
nominal party :: n. a defendant or a plaintiff included in a lawsui ... ed. See also: necessary party party
not guilty by reason of insanity :: n. plea in court of a person charged with a crime ... fense not guilty temporary insanity
notice :: n. 1) information, usually in writing in all legal ... Thirty-day notice three-day notice
nunc pro tunc :: (nuhnk proh tuhnk) adj. Latin for "now for then," ... r actuality of a bigamous marriage.
order :: 1) n. every direction or mandate of a judge or a c ... defendant. See also: judge judgment
order to show cause :: n. a judge's written mandate that a party appear i ... vernmental agency. See also: O.S.C.
out of court :: adj. referring to actions, including negotiations ... is dismissed. See also: settlement
paid into court :: adj. referring to money deposited with the clerk o ... differences. See also: interpleader
party :: n. 1) one of the participants in a lawsuit or othe ... y real party in interest respondent
peremptory writ of mandate :: (or mandamus) n. a final order of a court to any g ... ve writ. See also: mandamus mandate
permanent injunction :: n. a final order of a court that a person or entit ... ary injunction temporary injunction
petition :: 1) n. a formal written request to a court for an o ... dent. See also: divorce motion writ
pleading :: n. 1) every legal document filed in a lawsuit, pet ... nswer complaint demurrer plea plead
power of attorney :: n. a written document signed by a person giving an ... y, as in a real estate transaction.
process :: n. in law, the legal means by which a person is re ... service of process subpena summons
prohibition :: n. forbidding an act or activity. A court order fo ... icial. See also: injunction mandate
proper party :: n. a person or entity who has an interest (financi ... lf. See also: necessary party party
reformation :: n. the correction or change of an existing documen ... neral partner sues for reformation.
remedy :: n. the means to achieve justice in any matter in w ... gment provisional remedy settlement
remittitur :: n. 1) a judge's order reducing a judgment awarded ... party on appeal). See also: remand
respondent :: n. 1) the party who is required to answer a petiti ... "appellant") in the appeals court.
restraining order :: n. a temporary order of a court to keep conditions ... so: injunction permanent injunction
reversal :: n. the decision of a court of appeal ruling that t ... e of damages is ordered to dismiss.
sanction :: n. 1) a financial penalty imposed by a judge on a ... ction." See also: contempt of court
service by mail :: n. mailing legal pleadings to opposing attorneys o ... attorney by mail. See also: service
set aside :: v. to annul or negate a court order or judgment by ... "set aside" the original dismissal.
settlement :: n. the resolution of a lawsuit (or of a legal disp ... ult in settlement. See also: settle
shortening time :: n. an order of the court in response to the motion ... e notice is served within 24 hours.
specific performance :: n. the right of a party to a contract to demand th ... artwork. See also: contract prayer
standing :: n. the right to file a lawsuit or file a petition ... so: actual controversy jurisdiction
subpena duces tecum :: : (suh-pea-nah dooh-chess-take-uhm or dooh-kess-ta ... ng a court order. See also: witness
summons :: n. a document issued by the court at the time a la ... use service service of process writ
supersedeas :: (sooh-purr-said-ee-uhs) Latin for "you shall desis ... . See also: appeal court of appeals
surrebutal :: n. in written or oral legal argument, the response ... h until the judge stops the debate.
temporary injunction :: n. a court order prohibiting an action by a party ... ry injunction. See also: injunction
transcript :: n. the written record of all proceedings, includin ... unless transcription is requested.
trial :: n. the examination of facts and law presided over ... at a hearing held at a later time.
venue :: n. 1) the proper or most convenient location for t ... ion. See also: forum non conveniens
warrant :: 1) n. an order (writ) of a court which directs a l ... e search and seizure search warrant
will :: n. a written document which leaves the estate of t ... will and testament probate testator
writ of coram nobis :: : (writ of core-uhm noh-bis) n. from Latin for "in ... ment if known at the time of trial.

Popular Law Searches

legal definition ministerial act :: n. an act, particularly of a governmental employee ... exercising any individual judgment.
chancery legal definition :: n. a court that can order acts performed. Today ch ... ts in most states. See also: equity
testamentary disposition legal definition :: n. how the terms of a will divide the testator's ( ... named beneficiaries. See also: will
contract of sufferance :: n. a "hold-over" tenancy after a lease has expired ... y tenancy at will unlawful detainer
forthwith legal definition :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
forthwith definition legal :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
what is to wit in a legal contract :: prep. that is to say. Example: "the passengers in ... tty Bumgartner and Sherry Younger."
mirror wills legal definition :: n. the wills of a husband and wife which are ident ... d each names the other as executor.
clean hands doctrine latin :: n. a rule of law that a person coming to court wit ... ices. See also: affirmative defense
sine qua non only relates to contract law :: (see-nay kwah nahn) prep. Latin for "without which ... qua non of the injury to Playmate.

Other Law Terms - E

earnest payment :: n. a deposit paid to demonstrate commitment and to ... (liquidated) or committed damages.
easement :: n. the right to use the real property of another f ... rstandings at the time of creation.
egress :: n. way of departure. A word usually used in conjun ... unction with "access" or "ingress."
EIR :: n. popular acronym for environmental impact report ... e also: environmental impact report
ejectment :: n. a lawsuit brought to remove a party who is occu ... o the property through her parents.
ejusdem generis :: (eh-youse-dem generous) v adj. Latin for "of the s ... t was of land-based transportation.
elder law :: n. a specialty in legal practice, covering estate ... t field. (definition revised: 9/02)
election of remedies :: n. an outmoded requirement that if a plaintiff (pa ... dence has not been fully presented.
election under the will :: n. in those states which have statutes which give ... arries) left to her under his will.
eleemosynary :: (eh-luh-moss-uh-nary) adj. charitable, as applied ... pplied to a purpose or institution.
element :: n. 1) an essential requirement to a cause of actio ... of action crime general plan zoning
emancipation :: n. freeing a minor child from the control of paren ... vorced parent to pay child support.
embezzlement :: n. the crime of stealing the funds or property of ... in trust. See also: embezzler theft
embezzler :: n. a person who commits the crime of embezzlement ... r property of an employer or trust.
emblements :: n. crops to which a tenant who cultivated the land ... ome the property of his/her estate.
emergency :: n. a sudden, unforeseen happening which requires a ... r to protect lives and/or property.
eminent domain :: n. the power of a governmental entity (federal, st ... ngs. See also: condemn condemnation
emolument :: n. salary, wages and benefits paid for employment ... d for employment or an office held.
emotional distress :: n. an increasingly popular basis for a claim of da ... ar value upon it. See also: damages
employee :: n. a person who is hired for a wage, salary, fee o ... ondeat superior scope of employment