EX PARTE APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER

(Tennessee Chancery/Circuit Court – Template)

[// GUIDANCE: Drafted for ex parte temporary restraining order practice under Tenn. R. Civ. P. 65.03 and Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 29-11-101 et seq., 47-25-1701 et seq. Confirm compliance with local rules (e.g., Davidson County Chancery Local Rule 26) and Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 46A (e-filing).]

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 (Tenn. R. Civ. P. 65.03) .................................................... 5
   3.4 Argument ................................................................................................... 6
   3.4.1 Immediate and Irreparable Injury ................................................. 6
   3.4.2 Likelihood of Success on the Merits ............................................ 7
   3.4.3 Balance of Equities and Public Interest ...................................... 8
   3.5 Requested Relief, Bond, and Scheduling ............................................... 9
4. Attorney Certificate Regarding Notice ............................................................... 10
5. [Proposed] Order .................................................................................................. 12
6. Certificate of Service (Tenn. R. Civ. P. 5) ............................................................ 14

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1. CAPTION

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IN THE [CIRCUIT/CHANCERY] COURT FOR [COUNTY NAME] COUNTY, TENNESSEE

[PLAINTIFF NAME], ) Docket 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] will present an Ex Parte Application for Temporary Restraining Order pursuant to Tenn. R. Civ. P. 65.03 to the Honorable [Judge Name] on [Hearing Date] at [Time], or as soon thereafter as counsel may be heard, at [Courthouse Address].

Immediate and irreparable injury will result before this matter can be heard on regular notice because [Describe urgent harm such as enforcement of restrictive covenants, misappropriation of trade secrets, wrongful foreclosure, imminent disposal of property]. Monetary damages and other legal remedies are inadequate.

Notice was [provided/excused]. On [Date] at [Time], [Counsel Name] communicated with [Opposing Counsel/Party] via [method], as detailed in the accompanying Attorney Certificate. [// GUIDANCE: If seeking to proceed without notice, articulate the specific facts showing why notice should not be required consistent with Tenn. R. Civ. P. 65.03(5), including efforts made to provide notice and the risk of immediate harm.]

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

DATED: [MM/DD/YYYY]

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Respectfully submitted,

[LAW FIRM NAME]

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

3. MEMORANDUM OF LAW

3.1 Introduction

[// GUIDANCE: Provide a concise overview of the emergency, relief sought, and statutory/contractual authority supporting the application.]

3.2 Procedural Background

1. Initiation of Action: [Date complaint/petition filed]
2. Service Status: [Service accomplished/pending]
3. Prior Court Orders: [Identify prior TROs, injunctions, or agreements]
4. Events Necessitating Immediate Relief: [Chronological facts establishing urgency]

3.3 Legal Standard (Tenn. R. Civ. P. 65.03)

Rule 65.03 permits issuance of a temporary restraining order without notice when specific facts in an affidavit or verified complaint clearly show immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage, and the movant’s attorney certifies in writing the efforts made to give notice and the reasons why notice should not be required. Courts consider whether the movant has demonstrated (1) irreparable injury, (2) a likelihood of success on the merits, (3) that the balance of equities favors relief, and (4) that the public interest is served. See Newport Housing Auth. v. Ballard, 839 S.W.2d 86 (Tenn. 1992); Memphis Retail Investors Ltd. P'ship v. Baddour, 1993 WL 33741 (Tenn. Ct. App. Feb. 11, 1993).

3.4 Argument

3.4.1 Immediate and Irreparable Injury

[// GUIDANCE: Detail imminent harm and explain why it cannot be remedied adequately by monetary damages. Cite specific evidentiary support from affidavits or exhibits.]

3.4.2 Likelihood of Success on the Merits

[// GUIDANCE: Analyze the underlying claim(s) with citations to Tennessee statutes and appellate decisions. Address anticipated defenses.]

3.4.3 Balance of Equities and Public Interest

[// GUIDANCE: Demonstrate that the injunction preserves the status quo, minimizes prejudice to Respondent, and advances public policy (e.g., enforcement of valid agreements, protection of confidential data).]

3.5 Requested Relief, Bond, and Scheduling

[// GUIDANCE: Identify the specific injunctive provisions sought, request an expedited hearing on a temporary injunction under Tenn. R. Civ. P. 65.04, and address bond requirements pursuant to Tenn. R. Civ. P. 65.05.]

4. ATTORNEY CERTIFICATE REGARDING NOTICE

I, [Counsel Name], counsel for [Moving Party], certify as follows:

1. On [Date] at [Time], I notified [Opposing Counsel/Party] of the intent to seek an ex parte Temporary Restraining Order by [method].
2. The response received was [Summarize response/no response].
3. If notice was not provided, I made the following diligent efforts: [Describe efforts]. Notice should be excused because [Explain exigent circumstances and potential prejudice if notice is given, consistent with Tenn. R. Civ. P. 65.03(5)].
4. I advised [Opposing Counsel/Party] that the application would be presented on [Hearing Date] at [Time] in [Courtroom].

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

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

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[COUNSEL NAME], BPR No. [Number]

5. [PROPOSED] ORDER

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IN THE [CIRCUIT/CHANCERY] COURT FOR [COUNTY NAME] COUNTY, TENNESSEE

[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 arguments of counsel, the Court finds that immediate and irreparable injury will result before the adverse party can be heard. It is therefore ORDERED:

1. The Ex Parte Application is GRANTED pursuant to Tenn. R. Civ. P. 65.03.
2. [Set forth specific injunctive directives—prohibited conduct, mandatory actions, preservation of evidence, etc.]
3. Respondent shall appear on [Date] at [Time] in Courtroom [Number] to show cause why a temporary injunction should not issue pursuant to Tenn. R. Civ. P. 65.04.
4. [Service] Moving Party shall serve this Order, the Application, and supporting materials by [method] on or before [Date], and file proof of service.
5. [Security] Moving Party shall post bond in the amount of $[Amount] in accordance with Tenn. R. Civ. P. 65.05 by [Date].
6. This Order shall remain in effect until [Expiration Date/Time], unless extended by the Court for good cause or by consent.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: _____ _____
Chancellor/Judge [JUDGE NAME]

6. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE (Tenn. 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 parties/counsel:

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

☐ Tennessee e-filing system (if available)
☐ E-Mail (consent obtained under Tenn. R. Civ. P. 5.02)
☐ U.S. Mail, First-Class Postage Prepaid
☐ 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 supporting affidavits, exhibits, and any required local forms (e.g., Statement of Emergency per local rule).]