Injunction

What is an Injunction in Tort Law?

Quick Definition

An injunction is a court order that requires a party to do or refrain from doing specific acts. It is a form of equitable relief used to prevent ongoing or future harm rather than compensate for past damages.

In Context

Injunctions are often sought in cases where monetary compensation is inadequate to address the harm. For example, if a neighbour's construction work is causing damage to your property, you might seek an injunction to halt the activity. A notable case is American Cyanamid Co v Ethicon Ltd (1975), which established guidelines for granting interim injunctions, focusing on the balance of convenience and the presence of a serious issue to be tried. In exams, students might analyse the criteria for granting injunctions and their strategic use in legal disputes.

See Also

• Damages

• Nuisance

• Equitable Relief

Learn More

Explore our Tort Law Notes for deeper case law, examples, and revision tips.