A preliminary injunction is a legal order issued by a court to temporarily stop a party from taking a specific action while a case is being decided. This type of injunction is often sought to prevent potential harm that could occur before the court reaches a final decision. It is typically requested in civil cases where immediate relief is necessary to protect the interests of one party. To obtain a preliminary injunction, the requesting party must demonstrate that they are likely to succeed on the merits of the case, that they will suffer irreparable harm without the injunction, and that the balance of harms favors granting the injunction. Courts also consider the public interest when making their decision.