A temporary restraining order (TRO) is a court order requiring the parties to whom it is addressed not to engage in certain activity, or to continue to engage in certain activity, and is usually designed to maintain the current state of things (the status quo) until the court has the opportunity to hear a more complete presentation of the evidence—usually during an application for a temporary injunction that will remain in place while the lawsuit is pending.
In Ohio, a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) is a legal measure used to provide immediate relief from harm by temporarily preventing an individual or entity from taking certain actions. It is often sought to maintain the status quo until a more formal hearing can be conducted. To obtain a TRO, a party must file a motion along with a complaint, or sometimes as part of a pending lawsuit, demonstrating that immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage will result without the TRO. The court may issue a TRO without notice to the opposing party if it deems that notice should not be required. However, TROs issued without notice are typically of very short duration, often just enough time to schedule a hearing for a preliminary injunction, which requires notice to the other party and can last for the duration of the lawsuit. The specific requirements and procedures for obtaining a TRO in Ohio are governed by the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure, particularly Rule 65.