What is an 'injunction' in legal terms?

An injunction is a court order that directs an individual or entity to either do something or refrain from doing something. It serves as a means to enforce rights and obligations within the legal framework. This court-ordered requirement can be temporary (preliminary injunction) or permanent, depending on the circumstances of the case.

Injunctions are often utilized in situations where monetary damages are insufficient to remedy a situation, such as cases involving property disputes, breach of contract, or situations where an action may cause irreparable harm. For instance, if a property owner faces a situation where a neighbor is encroaching on their land, they could seek an injunction to stop the encroachment rather than waiting for damages to be determined.

Understanding the definition and function of an injunction is crucial in various fields, including real estate and finance, where maintaining legal rights is essential for preventing or resolving conflicts.