EX PARTE APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY INJUNCTION

(Virginia Circuit Court – Template)

[// GUIDANCE: Prepared pursuant to Va. Code §§ 8.01-620, 8.01-628–8.01-631 and Supreme Court of Virginia Rules 3:19, 3:20 (motions practice). Verify local circuit court rules, including emergency procedures and e-filing requirements (e.g., Virginia Judicial E-Filing Program).]

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 (Va. Code § 8.01-628) ....................................................... 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 Bond (Va. Code § 8.01-631) .................................. 9
4. Counsel Certification Regarding Notice .............................................................. 10
5. [Proposed] Order .................................................................................................. 12
6. Certificate of Service (Va. Sup. Ct. R. 1:12) ....................................................... 14

(Page references will update upon formatting)

1. CAPTION

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VIRGINIA:
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF [COUNTY/CITY] [NAME]

[PLAINTIFF NAME], ) Case No. [Case Number]
Plaintiff, )
v. ) EX PARTE APPLICATION FOR
) TEMPORARY INJUNCTION
[DEFENDANT NAME], )
Defendant. )

2. EX PARTE APPLICATION AND NOTICE

TO: [Opposing Counsel/Party]

COMES NOW [Moving Party], by counsel, and respectfully moves this Court pursuant to Va. Code § 8.01-628 for entry of a temporary injunction on an ex parte basis to preserve the status quo pending a hearing on a temporary/permanent injunction.

A hearing on this Application is requested for [Hearing Date] at [Time] (or at the earliest time the Court permits) in Courtroom [Number] at [Courthouse Address].

Immediate and irreparable harm will occur before this matter can be heard on regular notice because [Describe urgent harm, e.g., threatened foreclosure, destruction of property, dissemination of trade secrets, violation of statutory rights]. There is no adequate remedy at law, and delay will cause injury that cannot be compensated by monetary damages.

Notice has been [provided/attempted/should be excused]. On [Date] at [Time], [Counsel Name] communicated with [Opposing Counsel/Party] via [method], as detailed in the accompanying Counsel Certification. [// GUIDANCE: If notice is excused, provide specific factual basis establishing why notice should not be required under Va. Code § 8.01-629, including efforts undertaken and the risk of irreparable harm.]

This Application is supported by the Verified [Complaint/Petition], the affidavits/declarations of [Names], the accompanying Memorandum of Law, the Counsel Certification Regarding Notice, and the [Proposed] Order submitted contemporaneously.

DATED: [MM/DD/YYYY]

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Respectfully submitted,

[LAW FIRM NAME]

By: _____
[ATTORNEY NAME] (VSB No. [Number])
Counsel for [Moving Party]

3. MEMORANDUM OF LAW

3.1 Introduction

[// GUIDANCE: Summarize the emergency, the relief sought, and the statutory/contractual basis for injunctive relief.]

3.2 Procedural Background

1. Case Initiated: [Date complaint/petition filed]
2. Service Status: [Summarize service or waiver]
3. Prior Orders: [Identify prior injunctions, consent orders, or related proceedings]
4. Events Prompting Relief: [Chronology establishing urgency]

3.3 Legal Standard (Va. Code § 8.01-628)

Under Va. Code § 8.01-628, a circuit court may grant a temporary injunction without notice when immediate and irreparable injury is threatened and sufficient cause is shown by affidavit or verified pleading. The movant must establish (1) a likelihood of success on the merits, (2) irreparable harm absent relief, (3) that the equities favor the movant, and (4) that relief advances the public interest. See Blackwell v. City of Norfolk, 284 Va. 109, 726 S.E.2d 403 (2012); Settle v. Settle, 298 Va. 1, 834 S.E.2d 458 (2019). Bond is generally required under Va. Code § 8.01-631 unless waived for good cause.

3.4 Argument

3.4.1 Immediate and Irreparable Harm

[// GUIDANCE: Provide detailed facts demonstrating imminent harm, referencing specific affidavits or exhibits. Explain why legal remedies are inadequate.]

3.4.2 Probability of Success on the Merits

[// GUIDANCE: Analyze the substantive claims (e.g., breach of contract, property rights, statutory claims) with citations to Virginia statutes and appellate decisions. Address anticipated defenses.]

3.4.3 Balance of Equities and Public Interest

[// GUIDANCE: Show that the requested relief maintains the status quo, minimizes prejudice to Defendant, and promotes public policy (e.g., enforcement of valid covenants, protection of confidential information).]

3.5 Requested Relief and Bond (Va. Code § 8.01-631)

[// GUIDANCE: Detail the specific injunctive directives sought, propose an expedited hearing on a temporary/permanent injunction, and recommend a bond amount or rationale for waiver consistent with Va. Code § 8.01-631.]

4. COUNSEL CERTIFICATION 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 ex parte injunctive relief by [method].
2. The response received was [Describe response/no response].
3. If notice was not provided, I made the following diligent efforts: [Detail efforts]. Notice should be excused because [Explain exigent circumstances consistent with Va. Code § 8.01-629].
4. I informed [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] (VSB No. [Number])

5. [PROPOSED] ORDER

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VIRGINIA:
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF [COUNTY/CITY] [NAME]

[CAPTION SAME AS ABOVE]

[PROPOSED] TEMPORARY INJUNCTION AND RULE TO SHOW CAUSE

Upon consideration of the Ex Parte Application of [Moving Party], supporting affidavits, and counsel’s certification, the Court FINDS that immediate and irreparable harm will result before Defendant can be heard. It is therefore ORDERED:

1. The Ex Parte Application is GRANTED pursuant to Va. Code § 8.01-628.
2. Defendant, and all persons acting in concert with Defendant, are hereby enjoined from:
   a. [Specify prohibited conduct];
   b. [Specify additional restraints];
   c. [Include mandatory directives where necessary].
3. Defendant shall appear on [Date] at [Time] in Courtroom [Number] to show cause why a temporary/permanent injunction should not issue.
4. [Service] Plaintiff shall serve this Order, the Application, and supporting materials by [method] on or before [Date], and promptly file proof of service.
5. [Bond] Plaintiff shall post bond in the amount of $[Amount] pursuant to Va. Code § 8.01-631 by [Date]. [// GUIDANCE: Modify if bond waiver is sought.]
6. This Order shall remain in effect until [Expiration Date/Time] or further order of the Court.

ENTERED this ___ day of ____, 20__.

Hon. [JUDGE NAME]
Judge of the Circuit Court

6. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE (Va. Sup. Ct. R. 1:12)

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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that on [Date], I served the foregoing EX PARTE APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY INJUNCTION on the following counsel/parties:

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

☐ Virginia Judicial E-Filing System (VJEFS)
☐ E-Mail (consent obtained)
☐ 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 circuit-specific emergency motion cover sheets or praecipe requirements.]