Every order granting an injunction and every restraining order shall set forth the reasons for its issuance; shall be specific in terms; shall describe in reasonable detail, and not by reference to the complaint or other document, the act or acts sought to be restrained; and is binding only upon such parties to the action and such of their officers, agents, employees, and attorneys, and upon such persons in active concert or participation with them as receive actual notice of the order by personal service or otherwise.
Rule 4:52-4.Form and scope of injunction or restraining order
Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 7, 2026
In one sentenceRule 4:52-4 requires every injunction and restraining order to state the reasons for its issuance and describe the restrained conduct in reasonable detail on its own face, and limits who it binds to the parties, their agents, and anyone else who receives actual notice.
Full Text of Rule 4:52-4
Amendment History
New Jersey publishes each rule’s amendment record in a “History” note beneath the rule. It is reproduced verbatim below; the “R.R.” citations refer to the former Revised Rules numbering the current rules replaced.
Source-R.R. 4:67-5.
Plain-English Summary
An injunction cannot just point back to the complaint and call it done. Every order granting an injunction or restraint has to state, in the order itself, the reasons it issued, describe the restrained act or acts in reasonable detail, and be specific in its terms — not incorporate some other document by reference.
It also has a defined reach: the order binds the parties and their officers, agents, employees, and attorneys, along with anyone else acting in active concert with them, but only once that person receives notice of the order, whether by personal service or some other means.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a New Jersey injunction reference the complaint instead of describing what's restrained?
No. The order must describe the restrained act or acts in reasonable detail, in specific terms, on its own — not by reference to the complaint or another document.
Who is bound by an injunction or restraining order?
The parties to the action and their officers, agents, employees, and attorneys, plus anyone else acting in active concert with them who receives actual notice of the order.
Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the
official New Jersey Rules of Court (N.J. Ct. R. 4:52-4). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of New Jersey (N.J. Const. art. VI, § 2, ¶ 3). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 7, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: scope of injunctionform of restraining order