EX PARTE APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER

(South Dakota Circuit Court – Template)

[// GUIDANCE: Prepared for emergency injunctive relief under SDCL 15-6-65(b) and related statutes (e.g., SDCL ch. 21-8). Confirm compliance with local circuit policies, electronic filing under SD Unified Judicial System rules, and any county-specific procedures.]

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 (SDCL 15-6-65) ............................................................... 5
   3.4 Argument ................................................................................................... 6
   3.4.1 Immediate and Irreparable Harm ................................................. 6
   3.4.2 Probability of Success on the Merits ........................................... 7
   3.4.3 Balance of Equities and Public Interest ...................................... 8
   3.5 Requested Relief and Security ................................................................. 9
4. Attorney Certification Regarding Notice ............................................................. 10
5. [Proposed] Order .................................................................................................. 12
6. Certificate of Service (SDCL 15-6-5) ................................................................. 14

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1. CAPTION

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STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA
IN CIRCUIT COURT
[__] JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
[COUNTY] COUNTY

[PLAINTIFF NAME], ) Civ. No. [Case Number]
Plaintiff, )
v. ) 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] seeks an ex parte Temporary Restraining Order under SDCL 15-6-65(b), to be presented to the Honorable [Judge Name] on [Hearing Date] at [Time] (or as soon as the Court is available) at [Courthouse Address].

Immediate and irreparable harm will occur before this matter can be heard on regular notice because [Describe imminent harm, e.g., dissipation of collateral, destruction of evidence, disruption of essential services, violation of statutory rights]. Monetary relief is inadequate to prevent the injury, and delay would frustrate the Court’s ability to maintain the status quo.

Counsel [has/has not] provided advance notice. On [Date] at [Time], [Counsel Name] contacted [Opposing Counsel/Party] via [telephone/email/personal service], as described in the accompanying Certification. [// GUIDANCE: If notice could not be given, articulate specific reasons why notice should be excused consistent with SDCL 15-6-65(b) and relevant caselaw such as Farmers Ins. Exch. v. Dirks, 389 N.W.2d 799 (S.D. 1986).]

This application is supported by the Verified [Complaint/Petition], the affidavits/declarations of [Names], the Memorandum of Law, the Attorney Certification Regarding Notice, and the [Proposed] Order lodged concurrently.

DATED: [MM/DD/YYYY]

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Respectfully submitted,

[LAW FIRM NAME]

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

3. MEMORANDUM OF LAW

3.1 Introduction

[// GUIDANCE: Summarize the emergency situation, relief requested, and legal theory supporting ex parte issuance.]

3.2 Procedural Background

1. Filing Date: [Date complaint/petition filed]
2. Service Status: [Status of service on defendant]
3. Prior Proceedings: [Detail any prior injunctions, arbitration, administrative actions]
4. Events Necessitating Immediate Relief: [Chronological description of urgent facts]

3.3 Legal Standard (SDCL 15-6-65)

SDCL 15-6-65(b) authorizes a temporary restraining order without notice where specific facts in an affidavit or verified complaint clearly show that immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage will result before the adverse party can be heard, and the applicant’s attorney certifies efforts to give notice and reasons why notice should not be required. South Dakota courts consider (1) likelihood of success on the merits, (2) irreparable harm, (3) balance of hardships, and (4) public interest. See Dakota Indus., Inc. v. Dakota Sportswear, Inc., 946 F.2d 1384 (8th Cir. 1991) (applying South Dakota law); Farmers Ins. Exch. v. Dirks, 389 N.W.2d 799 (S.D. 1986).

3.4 Argument

3.4.1 Immediate and Irreparable Harm

[// GUIDANCE: Provide detailed factual support for imminent harm, referencing specific paragraphs in supporting affidavits. Explain why legal remedies are inadequate.]

3.4.2 Probability of Success on the Merits

[// GUIDANCE: Outline key elements of the claims (e.g., breach of contract, statutory violations, property rights). Cite controlling South Dakota statutes and case law.]

3.4.3 Balance of Equities and Public Interest

[// GUIDANCE: Demonstrate that the requested relief maintains the status quo, minimizes prejudice to the opposing party, and advances public policy (e.g., protecting consumers, preserving property).]

3.5 Requested Relief and Security

[// GUIDANCE: Specify the injunctive relief requested, propose a show-cause hearing date for a preliminary injunction within the fourteen-day limit of SDCL 15-6-65(b), and recommend a bond amount or grounds for waiver per SDCL 15-6-65(c).]

4. ATTORNEY CERTIFICATION REGARDING NOTICE

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

1. I represent [Moving Party] in the above-captioned matter.
2. On [Date] at [Time], I notified [Opposing Counsel/Party] of the intent to seek ex parte relief by [method].
3. The response received was [Summarize response/no response].
4. If notice was not provided, I made the following diligent efforts: [Detail efforts]. Notice should be excused because [Explain urgency and risk consistent with SDCL 15-6-65(b)].
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.

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[COUNSEL NAME], SD Bar No. [Number]

5. [PROPOSED] ORDER

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STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA
IN CIRCUIT COURT
[__] JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
[COUNTY] COUNTY

[CAPTION SAME AS ABOVE]

[PROPOSED] TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AND ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

The Court, having considered the Ex Parte Application of [Moving Party], the supporting affidavits, and the record, FINDS that immediate and irreparable injury will occur before the adverse party can be heard. Therefore, it is ORDERED:

1. The Ex Parte Application is GRANTED pursuant to SDCL 15-6-65(b).
2. [Specify detailed injunctive provisions.]
3. Respondent shall appear on [Date] at [Time] in Courtroom [Number] to show cause why a preliminary injunction should not issue.
4. [Service] Moving Party shall serve this Order and supporting materials upon Respondent by [method] on or before [Date], and promptly file proof of service.
5. [Security] Moving Party shall post security in the amount of $[Amount] under SDCL 15-6-65(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.

DATED: _____ _____
Hon. [JUDGE NAME]
Circuit Court Judge

6. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE (SDCL 15-6-5)

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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]

☐ South Dakota Odyssey eFile & Serve
☐ E-Mail (consent acknowledged)
☐ U.S. Mail, First-Class
☐ Overnight Delivery
☐ Personal Service by [Process Server]

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

Date: [Date]

[NAME OF DECLARANT]

[// GUIDANCE: Attach affidavits, exhibits, and any local circuit emergency motion cover sheets required under Unified Judicial System policies.]