EX PARTE APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER

(Rhode Island Superior Court – Template)

[// GUIDANCE: Tailored for TRO practice in Rhode Island Superior Court under Super. Ct. R. Civ. P. 65 and applicable Rhode Island General Laws (e.g., R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-24-7, § 8-2-13). Confirm compliance with each county's Administrative Orders and e-filing requirements through the Rhode Island Judiciary EFS.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Caption ..................................................................................................................... 1
2. Ex Parte Application and Notice ............................................................................. 2
3. Memorandum of Law .............................................................................................. 4
   3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 4
   3.2 Procedural Background ............................................................................ 4
   3.3 Legal Standard (R.I. Super. Ct. R. Civ. P. 65) ........................................... 5
   3.4 Argument ................................................................................................... 6
   3.4.1 Immediate and Irreparable Harm ................................................. 6
   3.4.2 Likelihood of Success and Equitable Considerations ................. 7
   3.4.3 Balance of Equities and Public Interest ...................................... 8
   3.5 Requested Relief and Bond ...................................................................... 9
4. Counsel Declaration Regarding Notice ............................................................... 10
5. [Proposed] Order .................................................................................................. 12
6. Certificate of Service (R.I. Super. Ct. R. Civ. P. 5) ............................................... 14

(Page numbering will update upon formatting)

1. CAPTION

text
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
PROVIDENCE, SC. SUPERIOR COURT

[PLAINTIFF NAME], ) C.A. No. [Case Number]
Plaintiff, )
v. ) EMERGENCY EX PARTE APPLICATION
) FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER
[DEFENDANT NAME], )
Defendant. )

2. EX PARTE APPLICATION AND NOTICE

TO: [Opposing Counsel/Party]

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that [Moving Party] will appear ex parte before the Honorable [Judge Name] on [Hearing Date] at [Time] at the [County] County Superior Court, [Courthouse Address], seeking a Temporary Restraining Order pursuant to Rule 65 of the Rhode Island Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure.

Immediate and irreparable injury will result before this matter can be heard on regular notice because [Describe imminent harm, e.g., termination of essential services, dissipation of assets, misuse of proprietary information]. Monetary damages and subsequent legal remedies are inadequate to prevent the threatened harm.

Notice of this application was [provided/not provided] to [Opposing Counsel/Party] on [Date] at [Time] via [telephone/email/personal service], as detailed in the accompanying Declaration. [// GUIDANCE: If notice was not given, set forth specific facts demonstrating why notice should be excused consistent with Rule 65(b) and Rhode Island precedent such as School Comm. of North Providence v. North Providence Fed'n of Teachers, 468 A.2d 272 (R.I. 1983).]

This application relies on the Verified [Complaint/Petition], the supporting affidavits of [Names], the Memorandum of Law, the Declaration Regarding Notice, and the [Proposed] Order submitted contemporaneously.

DATED: [MM/DD/YYYY]

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Respectfully submitted,

[LAW FIRM NAME]

By: _____
[ATTORNEY NAME], Bar No. [Number]
Attorneys for [Moving Party]

3. MEMORANDUM OF LAW

3.1 Introduction

[// GUIDANCE: Summarize the emergency circumstances, relief sought, and legal authority supporting ex parte issuance.]

3.2 Procedural Background

1. Case Filing: [Date complaint/petition filed]
2. Service Status: [Summarize service of process efforts]
3. Prior Related Proceedings: [Describe prior injunctions, arbitration, administrative actions]
4. Events Creating Urgency: [Timeline demonstrating imminent harm]

3.3 Legal Standard (R.I. Super. Ct. R. Civ. P. 65)

Rule 65(b) authorizes a temporary restraining order without notice when specific facts in an affidavit or verified complaint clearly demonstrate immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage, and the applicant’s attorney certifies the efforts made to give notice and reasons why notice should not be required. Courts evaluate whether (1) the moving party has a reasonable likelihood of success on the merits, (2) irreparable harm will result absent relief, (3) the balance of equities favors the movant, and (4) the public interest supports relief. See Iggy's Doughboys, Inc. v. Giroux, 729 A.2d 701 (R.I. 1999); Fund for Community Progress v. United Way of Southeastern New England, 695 A.2d 517 (R.I. 1997).

3.4 Argument

3.4.1 Immediate and Irreparable Harm

[// GUIDANCE: Provide granular facts showing imminent injury that cannot be remedied with damages. Reference specific affidavit paragraphs.]

3.4.2 Likelihood of Success and Equitable Considerations

[// GUIDANCE: Analyze the substantive claims, defenses, and governing statutes or contract provisions. Cite Rhode Island cases interpreting analogous issues.]

3.4.3 Balance of Equities and Public Interest

[// GUIDANCE: Demonstrate that relief maintains the status quo, imposes minimal burden on Respondent, and aligns with public policy (e.g., protection of confidential information, compliance with regulatory mandates).]

3.5 Requested Relief and Bond

[// GUIDANCE: Enumerate the specific injunctive directives sought, request scheduling of a preliminary injunction hearing within the time limits of Rule 65(b), and address security (bond) requirements under Rule 65(c).]

4. COUNSEL DECLARATION REGARDING NOTICE

I, [Counsel Name], declare under penalty of perjury:

1. I am counsel for [Moving Party] in the above-captioned matter.
2. On [Date] at [Time], I notified [Opposing Counsel/Party] of the intent to seek an ex parte TRO by [method].
3. The response received was [Describe response].
4. If notice could not be provided, I made the following diligent efforts: [Detail efforts]. Notice should be excused because [Explain exigent circumstances and risk of irreparable harm].
5. I advised [Opposing Counsel/Party] that the application would be presented on [Hearing Date] at [Time] in [Courtroom].

Executed on [MM/DD/YYYY] at [City, State]. I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

text

[COUNSEL NAME], Bar No. [Number]

5. [PROPOSED] ORDER

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
[COUNTY] COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT

[CAPTION SAME AS ABOVE]

[PROPOSED] TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AND ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

Upon consideration of the Ex Parte Application of [Moving Party], the supporting affidavits, and argument of counsel, it is hereby ORDERED:

1. The Ex Parte Application is GRANTED pursuant to Rule 65(b).
2. [Specify injunctive provisions—e.g., Respondent is enjoined from transferring funds, entering premises, using confidential information.]
3. Respondent shall appear and show cause on [Date] at [Time], Courtroom [Number], why a preliminary injunction should not issue.
4. [Service] Moving Party shall serve this Order and accompanying papers on Respondent by [method] on or before [Date], and file proof of service.
5. [Security] Moving Party shall post a bond in the amount of $[Amount] under Rule 65(c) by [Date].
6. This Order shall expire at [Time] on [Date] unless extended after the show-cause hearing or by further Order of the Court.

ENTER:

DATED: _____ _____
Justice [JUDGE NAME]
Rhode Island Superior Court

6. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE (R.I. Super. Ct. R. Civ. P. 5)

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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that on [Date], I served the foregoing EX PARTE APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER on the following:

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

☐ Rhode Island Judiciary e-filing system (EFS)
☐ E-Mail (consent obtained)
☐ Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested
☐ Overnight Delivery
☐ Personal Service by [Process Server Name]

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

Date: [Date]

[NAME OF DECLARANT]

[// GUIDANCE: Attach supporting affidavits, exhibits, and any required emergency motion coversheets mandated by the Presiding Justice or county-specific protocols.]