EX PARTE APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY INJUNCTIVE RELIEF

(Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas – Template)

[// GUIDANCE: Prepared for emergency injunctive practice under Pa.R.C.P. No. 1531 and applicable Pennsylvania statutes (e.g., 42 Pa.C.S. § 8303). Confirm compliance with local court rules and administrative orders (e.g., First Judicial District general court regulations). File via PACFile or in-person as required.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Caption ..................................................................................................................... 1
2. Ex Parte Application and Notice Statement .......................................................... 2
3. Memorandum of Law .............................................................................................. 4
   3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 4
   3.2 Procedural Background ............................................................................ 4
   3.3 Legal Standard (Pa.R.C.P. 1531) .............................................................. 5
   3.4 Argument ................................................................................................... 6
   3.4.1 Immediate and Irreparable Harm ................................................. 6
   3.4.2 Clear Right to Relief / Likelihood of Success .............................. 7
   3.4.3 Greater Injury from Refusal than Grant ...................................... 8
   3.4.4 Public Interest Considerations .................................................... 9
   3.5 Requested Relief, Bond, and Scheduling ............................................... 10
4. Certification of Counsel Regarding Notice (Pa.R.C.P. 1531(a)) ........................... 11
5. [Proposed] Order .................................................................................................. 13
6. Certificate of Service (Pa.R.C.P. 440) ................................................................. 15

(Page numbers will auto-update when formatted)

1. CAPTION

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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF [COUNTY NAME] COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
[TRIAL DIVISION/CIVIL DIVISION]

[PLAINTIFF NAME], ) Docket No. [Case Number]
Plaintiff, )
v. ) Assigned to: Judge [Judge Name]
)
[DEFENDANT NAME], ) EMERGENCY EX PARTE APPLICATION
Defendant. ) FOR TEMPORARY INJUNCTIVE RELIEF

2. EX PARTE APPLICATION AND NOTICE STATEMENT

TO: [Opposing Party/Counsel] and all parties of record.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that [Moving Party] respectfully applies ex parte to the Honorable [Judge Name] for a Temporary Restraining Order pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. No. 1531. A hearing is requested on [Hearing Date] at [Time] in Courtroom [Number], [Courthouse Name], [Address].

Immediate and irreparable injury will occur before this matter can be heard on regular notice because [Describe imminent harm: e.g., loss of unique property, disclosure of trade secrets, interruption of essential services]. Monetary damages are inadequate and the harm is incapable of full compensation through later legal remedies.

Counsel has [provided / been unable to provide] advance notice to [Opposing Counsel/Party] on [Date] at [Time] via [method], as further described in the Certification Regarding Notice. [If notice not provided, articulate statutory/precedential basis for proceeding without notice, referencing Pa.R.C.P. 1531(a) and controlling case law such as Credit Alliance Corp. v. Phila. Minit-Man Car Wash Corp., 301 A.2d 816 (Pa. 1973).]

This application relies upon the accompanying Memorandum of Law, the Verified Complaint [or Petition], the sworn affidavits/declarations of [Names], the Certification Regarding Notice, the [Proposed] Order, and all other matters of record.

DATED: [MM/DD/YYYY]

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Respectfully submitted,

[LAW FIRM NAME]

By: _____
[ATTORNEY NAME], Pa. I.D. No. [Number]
Counsel for [Moving Party]

3. MEMORANDUM OF LAW

3.1 Introduction

[// GUIDANCE: Provide a succinct statement of the emergency, relief sought, and legal basis. Reference the Verified Complaint or Petition and summarize the requested injunctive terms.]

3.2 Procedural Background

1. Case Initiation: [Date of filing; nature of action]
2. Service Status: [Describe service efforts/returns]
3. Relevant Prior Orders: [Any prior TROs, consent orders, or arbitration]
4. Events Triggering Emergency: [Timeline establishing urgency]

3.3 Legal Standard (Pa.R.C.P. 1531)

Pa.R.C.P. No. 1531(a) authorizes a court to issue a preliminary or special injunction without notice only where it is clearly shown that immediate and irreparable harm will be sustained before notice can be given or a hearing held. The applicant must demonstrate: (1) a clear right to relief, (2) immediate and irreparable harm that cannot be compensated by damages, (3) greater injury from refusing relief than granting it, and (4) that the injunction will restore the parties to the status quo. See Warehime v. Warehime, 860 A.2d 41, 46 (Pa. 2004); Ambrogi v. Reber, 932 A.2d 969 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2007). Security must be posted unless excused for good cause under Pa.R.C.P. 1531(b).

3.4 Argument

3.4.1 Immediate and Irreparable Harm

[// GUIDANCE: Provide fact-specific evidence demonstrating imminent harm that cannot be remedied monetarily. Tie each assertion to specific paragraphs in supporting affidavits.]

3.4.2 Clear Right to Relief / Likelihood of Success

[// GUIDANCE: Identify controlling statutory or contractual rights. Cite Pennsylvania appellate authority interpreting the relevant cause of action. Address defenses likely to be raised.]

3.4.3 Greater Injury from Refusal than Grant

[// GUIDANCE: Compare harms to the parties, emphasizing maintenance of the status quo and minimal prejudice to the respondent.]

3.4.4 Public Interest Considerations

[// GUIDANCE: Where applicable, articulate how relief supports public policy (e.g., protection of trade secrets, safeguarding health/safety, preventing unlawful conduct).]

3.5 Requested Relief, Bond, and Scheduling

[// GUIDANCE: Outline the precise injunctive provisions requested, propose an expedited hearing on a preliminary injunction pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1531(d), and recommend a bond amount or justification for waiver.]

4. CERTIFICATION OF COUNSEL REGARDING NOTICE (Pa.R.C.P. 1531(a))

I, [Counsel Name], certify under penalty of perjury as follows:

1. I represent [Moving Party] in the above-captioned action.
2. On [Date] at [Time], I notified [Opposing Counsel/Party] of the intent to seek ex parte injunctive relief by [method].
3. The response received was [describe response or lack thereof].
4. If notice was not provided, I made the following diligent efforts: [Describe]. Notice should be excused because [Explain exigency consistent with Pa.R.C.P. 1531(a) and relevant precedent].
5. I informed [Opposing Counsel/Party] that the application would be presented to the Court on [Hearing Date] at [Time] in [Courtroom].

I certify that the foregoing statements are true and correct. I understand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.

Executed on [MM/DD/YYYY] at [City, State].

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[COUNSEL NAME], Pa. I.D. No. [Number]

5. [PROPOSED] ORDER

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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF [COUNTY NAME] COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

[CAPTION SAME AS ABOVE]

[PROPOSED] TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AND RULE TO SHOW CAUSE

AND NOW, this ___ day of ____, 20__, upon consideration of the Ex Parte Application of [Moving Party], it is hereby ORDERED and DECREED:

1. The Ex Parte Application is GRANTED.
2. [Set forth specific prohibitions or mandatory directives imposed upon Respondent.]
3. Respondent shall appear before this Court on the ___ day of _, 20_, at :__ _.m. in Courtroom [Number], to show cause why a preliminary injunction should not issue.
4. Service of this Order, the Application, and supporting materials shall be made upon Respondent by [method] on or before ____, 20__.
5. [Security] Petitioner shall post bond in the amount of $__ pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. No. 1531(b) by ____, 20__. [// GUIDANCE: Adjust if seeking waiver for good cause.]
6. This Order shall remain in force until further Order of Court or until the conclusion of the show-cause hearing, whichever occurs first.

BY THE COURT:

Honorable [JUDGE NAME]
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas

6. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE (Pa.R.C.P. 440)

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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that on [Date], I served the foregoing EX PARTE APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY INJUNCTIVE RELIEF on the following:

[Service List: Name, Firm, Address, Email, Fax]

☐ Electronic Service via PACFile
☐ E-Mail (Pa.R.C.P. 205.4(g); 440(d))
☐ First-Class Mail
☐ Overnight Delivery
☐ Personal Service by [Process Server Name]

I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Date: [Date]

[NAME OF DECLARANT]

[// GUIDANCE: Attach supporting affidavits, verification, and any county-specific emergency motion cover sheets (e.g., Philadelphia Emergency Petition Cover Sheet).]