An Injunction Could Mean Quick Action By the Court, But the Standards are High
An Injunction Could Mean Quick Action By the Court, But the Standards are High. 
circuit the litigation process because the stakes are too high to wait for an outcome, and your case is so strong you’ll likely win on the merits. These proceedings are often in the news when someone tries to stop the government from taking action, but they can apply to private parties involved in a contract dispute too. You won’t get a money award, but you may get a court order for what you want – an action or preventing an act by the other party.
Many circumstances can lead to an injunction, but state statute lists these as the top three:
- When it appears from the complaint the plaintiff is entitled to the relief sought and it, or any part of it, involves preventing or stopping the act complained about
- When it appears from the complaint or affidavits that starting or continuing the act complained about during the litigation of the case would create waste, or significant or irreparable injury, to a party involved in the lawsuit
- When it appears during litigation a party is doing or threatening to do, is about to do, or is causing to be done, an act that violates the rights of another party that are the subject of the lawsuit, possibly rendering a future court judgment meaningless
Without Enough Evidence, a Court May Not to Enjoin a Party to a Contract
In a contract case, one party allowed another to sell its video conferencing services. It later wanted that arrangement to stop and filed for an injunction.
The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (which includes California) in the case of Zoom Video Communications, Inc., v. Ringcentral, Inc., stated a party seeking the injunction must show:
- A likelihood of success based on the evidence and applicable law (the merits)
- Irreparable harm to the plaintiff if the requested relief isn’t granted
- Balancing the parties’ hardships goes in the plaintiff’s favor
- Issuing an injunction is in the public interest
Every rule has at least one exception. The court stated that for the Ninth Circuit if a plaintiff can’t show a likelihood of success, it must demonstrate there are serious questions going to the merits, injunctive relief can be granted if the balance of hardships tips sharply in favor of the plaintiff and it can establish its case on the other two elements.
The lower court ruled, and the appeals court agreed, an injunction couldn’t be granted in the case because neither party could show they were likely to succeed due to the fact the contract was too vague. Evidence beyond the contract’s language would be needed to find out what the parties meant. The lower court was correct in deciding it wouldn’t void the agreement until evidence was heard.
An Injunction Might Help Your Business
Many things could happen to your business that may justify seeking an injunction:
- Another party is doing something illegally, and it’s impacting the use or value of your property
- A party is illegally using your intellectual property and has refused to stop, confusing current and potential customers who want to buy your services or products
- An ex-employee working for a competitor violates a non-disclosure agreement, and you are losing or might lose current or future customers
- A government agency acted illegally when it ordered your business to do, or not do, something, and it’s affecting your business
- Your landlord violates your lease, causing you additional costs or reduced income
Whether you’d get an injunction depends on many issues, including how strong your proof of the elements discussed in the Zoom case.
Whether You’re Seeking an Injunction or Want to Prevent One From Being Ordered, Focus Law Can Help
If your business is in California, Focus Law can help. We are an established and growing law firm representing California and Pacific businesses. We aid clients in business law, including contract drafting, negotiation, execution, disputes, injunctions, and litigation.
Call us today for a Strategy Session. We can discuss how Focus Law can help you run your business without worrying about potential legal issues. Call us at (714) 415-2007 or reserve your spot by clicking here.
