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 requested to prevent potential harm or to maintain the status quo until a final decision is made. It is typically sought in civil cases where immediate relief is necessary. 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.