Malcolm ZoppiTue Nov 14 2023

Unveiling the Most Common Injunctions: What Are They?

In the United Kingdom, civil courts grant injunctions to aid individuals in protecting their legal rights. An injunction is a court order that prohibits a person from carrying out certain actions or requires him/her to perform specific actions. This section will provide a comprehensive guide to injunctions, their types, and the processes involved in obtaining […]

what are the most common injunctions

In the United Kingdom, civil courts grant injunctions to aid individuals in protecting their legal rights. An injunction is a court order that prohibits a person from carrying out certain actions or requires him/her to perform specific actions.

This section will provide a comprehensive guide to injunctions, their types, and the processes involved in obtaining them under English law. Alternatively, you can seek professional advice here. In the United Kingdom, civil courts grant injunctions to aid individuals in protecting their legal rights.

The common law of England recognizes various types of injunctions, including publication injunctions, property injunctions, housing injunctions, freezing injunctions, mandatory injunctions, non-molestation orders, occupation orders, and search orders, among others. Depending on the circumstances, an injunction can be granted with or without notice, and the application can be made in the high court or county court.

Several important factors are considered when applying for an interim injunction. The applicant must be able to show that he/she is likely to succeed at trial, and the injunction can preserve the status quo and prevent further harm. The application must be supported by a witness statement that includes all relevant facts, including any incidents where the respondent has been violent or has threatened or been guilty of harassment.

The court may also consider whether damages would be sufficient if an order is not granted, and whether the order can be made to give full and frank disclosure of all relevant facts.

Key Takeaways

  • There are various types of injunctions recognized under English law, including publication injunctions, property injunctions, housing injunctions, freezing injunctions, mandatory injunctions, non-molestation orders, occupation orders, and search orders.
  • An injunction can be granted with or without notice, and applications can be made in the high court or county court.
  • When applying for an interim injunction, the applicant must show that he/she is likely to succeed at trial and that the injunction can preserve the status quo and prevent further harm.
  • The court may also consider whether damages would be sufficient if an order is not granted, and whether the order can be made to give full and frank disclosure of all relevant facts.
  • It is important to seek legal advice when seeking an injunction to ensure that all requirements have been met.

Understanding Injunctions and Their Purpose

In the United Kingdom, an injunction is a court order that prevents a person or entity from carrying out a certain act or requires them to take specific actions. This legal order is typically used to support the applicant’s case and protect their legal rights.

When an application is made for an injunction, the court sets out specific terms that must be adhered to. The injunction prevents the opposing party from performing certain actions that may cause harm or damage, or may require them to carry out certain actions to remedy a situation.

There are various types of injunctions, and the process of obtaining one can be complex. The applicant must prove that an injunction is necessary to protect their interests and that it is a proportionate response to the situation at hand.

The purpose of an injunction is to preserve the status quo, or prevent a situation from getting worse while an application for an injunction is heard. It can also be used to prevent harm or damage from being caused, or to compel a party to carry out specific actions to remedy a situation. The purpose of an injunction is to preserve the status quo, or prevent a situation from getting worse while an application for an injunction is heard, a process where the guidance of a skilled litigation solicitor can be invaluable.

The court order must be obeyed by all parties involved. Failure to comply with an injunction can result in severe consequences, such as being held in contempt of court.

Overall, applying for an injunction can be a powerful tool in protecting one’s legal rights, but it should only be used when necessary and proportionate to the situation at hand.

Common Examples of Injunctions in the UK

In the UK, injunctions are commonly issued by civil courts in cases where it is deemed necessary to protect someone’s legal rights or preserve the status quo. Interim injunctions, also known as temporary injunctions, are often granted while a case is ongoing, whereas final injunctions are issued at the end of a trial.

Comprehensive provider

Get the specialist support you need

Whether you require specialised knowledge for your business or personal affairs, Zoppi & Co can support you.

If someone breaches an injunction, they may be found in contempt of court and face legal consequences. However, the individual who applied for the injunction must be able to show that the order was breached. In cases where an application is made without notice, the applicant must provide a full and frank disclosure of all relevant facts to the court.

When an order is granted, it may contain a power of arrest, and the order must be served on the respondent. If the respondent breaches the order, the applicant may request that the court issues a warrant for their arrest.

Injunctions may be granted in cases such as:

  • Harassment or violence: A non-molestation order may be issued in cases where someone has been violent or has threatened violence. An occupation order may be granted to protect someone’s right to live in a property.
  • Protecting property or intellectual property: A property injunction may be granted to preserve property rights or prevent the sale or transfer of assets. A publication injunction may be issued to prevent the publication of sensitive information.
  • Freezing assets: A freezing injunction may be granted to preserve assets during legal proceedings. A mareva injunction is a type of freezing injunction that prevents a party from disposing of or dealing with their assets.
  • Mandatory injunctions: A mandatory injunction may be granted to compel someone to take specific actions, such as removing a structure or stopping construction on a property.

When applying for an injunction, it is important to make a clear and concise application to the court. The applicant must be able to show that they are likely to succeed at trial, and the court will consider whether damages would be an adequate remedy. If the injunction is granted, the respondent must be provided with a copy of the order, and they may have an opportunity to challenge it in court.

Types of Injunctions for Specific Situations

Domestic violence is one of the most common reasons for seeking an injunction in the UK. Where an individual has been violent or has threatened violence against another person, a non-molestation order may be sought to protect them. A non-molestation order is an injunction that can be held to prevent someone from harassing, intimidating, or using violence against another person. This order can also include an order preventing the individual from contacting the victim or coming within a certain distance of them.

Additionally, if you are seeking an injunction to protect someone else, for example, in circumstances where a child is at risk of harm, an occupation order may be sought. An occupation order is an injunction that can be held to regulate the occupation of a property. This order can require an individual to leave a property or allow another person to enter or remain in a property.

It is important to note that breaches of these orders can result in the individual being arrested without a warrant, as they are considered to be crimes. The police have the power of arrest without a warrant where they have reasonable grounds for suspecting that the individual is breaching the order.

When applying for an injunction, it is important to seek legal advice and ensure that the application is made correctly. Applications for injunctions can be made without notice, known as ex parte, but the individual seeking the injunction must be able to show that there is an urgent need for the injunction to be granted. The common law of England recognizes various types of injunctions, including publication injunctions, and property injunctions.

Non-molestation orders and occupation orders are just two examples of the many types of injunctions that can be sought in the UK. Seeking an injunction can be a complex process, and it is important to obtain legal advice to ensure that the application is made correctly and that the individual seeking the injunction can make a case that is likely to succeed at trial.

Property and Publication Injunctions

Property and publication injunctions are specific types of injunctions that are commonly used in the UK to protect an individual or entity’s interests. These injunctions are typically granted by civil courts in England and Wales under common law and equity principles.

Publication injunctions are designed to prevent the publication of sensitive or private information that could harm an individual’s reputation or business interests. These injunctions can be obtained by individuals, corporations, or public bodies that are at risk of suffering damage from the publication of specific information.

For example, a celebrity may seek a publication injunction to prevent a tabloid newspaper from publishing salacious details about their private life, while a business may seek an injunction to protect confidential trade secrets from being published by a former employee.

Property injunctions, on the other hand, are used to preserve the status quo of property rights. These injunctions can be granted to prevent a party from interfering with another party’s property rights, such as by trespassing or damaging property.

For instance, a property injunction may be granted to prevent a neighbour from building a fence that encroaches on another party’s property, or to prevent someone from damaging a listed building.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Please select all the ways you would like to hear from Zoppi & Co

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. For information about our privacy practices, please visit our website.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.

When considering whether to grant a property or publication injunction, courts will take into account relevant facts and evidence presented by the applicant. The court must also assess whether the injunction would be proportionate and necessary to preserve the status quo and whether the applicant is likely to succeed at trial. Additionally, the court must consider whether damages would be an adequate remedy if the injunction was not granted.

CriteriaProperty InjunctionsPublication Injunctions
Relevant Facts ConsideredInterference with property rightsPublication of sensitive information
Injunction WouldPreserve the status quo of property rightsPrevent the publication of damaging information
Likely to Succeed at TrialThe applicant must show a strong case at trialThe applicant must show the publication would cause significant harm
Injunction MustBe proportionate and necessaryBe proportionate and necessary
Consider Whether Damages WouldBe an adequate remedyNot be an adequate remedy
Decision Taken AtTrial of the actionApplication for an interim injunction

Property and publication injunctions can be sought at high court or county court, and in some cases, without notice (ex parte). The applicant must make a full and frank disclosure of all material facts to the court, including any adverse points, and provide witness statements to support their case.

Freezing and Mandatory Injunctions

In certain circumstances, a party may need to seek a freezing injunction to prevent another party from dissipating assets before the resolution of a legal dispute. A freezing injunction is an order that prohibits a party from disposing of or dealing with their assets or property, effectively freezing them until the dispute is resolved. This type of injunction can help prevent the losing party from avoiding payment of a potential judgment.

In comparison, a mandatory injunction compels a party to take specific actions or perform certain duties. For example, a mandatory injunction may be used to require a landlord to carry out necessary repairs on a property or to prevent a company from continuing to use a trademark that they do not have the right to use.

An application for an interim injunction is usually made without notice to the other party, as the applicant is seeking to preserve the status quo and prevent any further harm that may arise from the party’s actions. However, the applicant must be able to show that they are likely to succeed at trial, and that damages would not be an adequate remedy for the harm caused.

Type of InjunctionRequirementsProcess
Freezing InjunctionParty is likely to succeed at trial, damages would not be an adequate remedy, and there is a real risk that the party will dissipate assets or remove them from the jurisdictionAll relevant facts must be presented to the court, and the court will consider whether to grant the order on a without notice (ex parte) basis or after a hearing
Mandatory InjunctionParty has a legal right that needs to be supported, an application is made to prevent harm, and an order is required to prevent or end a breach of legal rightsAn application for an injunction must be made, and the court will consider all relevant facts to decide whether to grant the order on a without notice (ex parte) basis or after a hearing

In either case, the court will consider all relevant facts before deciding whether to grant the injunction, including the potential harm to the applicant if the injunction is not granted and the harm to the other party if it is granted. If an injunction is granted, it is important to strictly comply with the terms of the order, as breaching an injunction can result in contempt of court and serious consequences.

Conclusion

In conclusion, obtaining an injunction can be a crucial step in protecting one’s legal rights. This guide has covered the most common types of injunctions in the UK, from property and publication injunctions to freezing and mandatory injunctions.

When seeking to apply for an injunction, it is important to consider all relevant facts and evidence to support the application to the court. It is also crucial to understand the legal requirements and considerations involved, such as the likelihood of success at trial and the potential award of damages.

While injunctions can be powerful tools in legal proceedings, it is also important to recognize that they can have significant impacts on other cases and parties involved. Mareva injunctions, for example, can freeze assets that may be important to another case.

Ultimately, when applying for an injunction, the court will consider all relevant factors and evidence before deciding whether to grant an order. If an injunction is granted, it must be followed accordingly, as breaching an injunction can result in contempt of court and other legal consequences.

Overall, understanding the different types of injunctions and their applications is essential in navigating the legal system and protecting one’s legal rights.

FAQ

What are the most common types of injunctions in the UK?

The most common types of injunctions in the UK include publication injunctions, property injunctions, housing injunctions, freezing injunctions, mandatory injunctions, non-molestation orders, occupation orders, and search orders.

What is the purpose of an injunction?

An injunction is a court order that aims to support the applicant’s case by preventing or compelling certain actions. It is used to preserve the status quo, protect rights, and prevent harm or potential harm.

Can you provide examples of common injunctions in the UK?

Common examples of injunctions in the UK are interim injunctions, final injunctions, and breach injunctions. Interim injunctions are granted temporarily until a final decision is made, while final injunctions are long-term orders. Breach injunctions are used to ensure compliance with an existing injunction.

What types of injunctions are used in situations like domestic violence?

In cases of domestic violence, non-molestation orders are commonly used. These injunctions aim to protect individuals from violence or harassment by preventing the person responsible from approaching or contacting the victim.

How do property and publication injunctions work?

Property injunctions are used to protect real estate or other assets from being disposed of or transferred. Publication injunctions, on the other hand, aim to prevent the publication of sensitive or private information, such as in cases involving breaches of privacy or intellectual property rights.

What are freezing and mandatory injunctions?

Freezing injunctions are used to preserve assets during legal proceedings, ensuring that they are not dissipated or transferred. Mandatory injunctions, on the other hand, compel a party to perform a specific action or take certain steps as ordered by the court.

In conclusion, what should I know about injunctions in the UK?

Injunctions serve to protect legal rights and provide the necessary legal remedies when faced with potential harm or violation. Whether you are seeking an injunction to protect against domestic violence, preserve property rights, or prevent the publication of sensitive information, understanding the different types of injunctions and the legal considerations involved is crucial when navigating the legal landscape.

Find out more!

If you want to read more in this subject area, you might find some of our other blogs interesting:

Disclaimer: This document has been prepared for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or financial advice. You should always seek independent professional advice and not rely on the content of this document as every individual circumstance is unique. Additionally, this document is not intended to prejudge the legal, financial or tax position of any person.

Comprehensive provider

Get the specialist support you need

Whether you require specialised knowledge for your business or personal affairs, Zoppi & Co can support you.