Last amended July 1, 1970 · Last verified July 1, 2026
In one sentenceRule 65 sets the standards and procedures for the three kinds of injunctive relief -- the ex parte temporary restraining order, the preliminary injunction issued after notice and a hearing, and the permanent injunction after trial -- including security, service, and the required content of every injunctive order.
A temporary restraining order may be granted without written or oral notice to the adverse party or his attorney only if (1) it clearly appears from specific facts shown by affidavit or by the verified complaint that immediate and irreparable injury, loss or damage will result to the applicant before the adverse party or his attorney can be heard in opposition, and (2) the applicant's attorney certifies to the court in writing the efforts, if any, which have been made to give notice and the reasons supporting his claim that notice should not be required. The verification of such affidavit or verified complaint shall be upon the affiant's own knowledge, information or belief; and so far as upon information and belief, shall state that he believes this information to be true. Every temporary restraining order granted without notice shall be filed forthwith in the clerk's office; shall define the injury and state why it is irreparable and why the order was granted without notice; and shall expire by its terms within such time after entry, not to exceed fourteen days, as the court fixes, unless within the time so fixed the order, for good cause shown, is extended for one like period or unless the party against whom the order is directed consents that it may be extended for a longer period. The reasons for the extension shall be set forth in the order of extension. In case a temporary restraining order is granted without notice, the motion for a preliminary injunction shall be set down for hearing at the earliest possible time and takes precedence over all matters except older matters of the same character. When the motion comes on for hearing the party who obtained the temporary restraining order shall proceed with the application for a preliminary injunction and, if he does not do so, the court shall dissolve the temporary restraining order. On two days' notice to the party who obtained the temporary restraining order without notice or on such shorter notice to that party as the court may prescribe, the adverse party may appear and move its dissolution or modification, and in that event the court shall proceed to hear and determine such motion as expeditiously as the ends of justice require.
No preliminary injunction shall be issued without reasonable notice to the adverse party. The application for preliminary injunction may be included in the complaint or may be made by motion.
2Consolidation of hearing with trial on merits
Before or after the commencement of the hearing of an application for a preliminary injunction, the court may order the trial of the action on the merits to be advanced and consolidated with the hearing of the application. Even when this consolidation is not ordered, any evidence received upon an application for a preliminary injunction which would be admissible upon the trial on the merits becomes part of the record on the trial and need not be repeated upon the trial. This subdivision (B)(2) shall be so construed and applied as to save to the parties any rights they may have to trial by jury.
No temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction is operative until the party obtaining it gives a bond executed by sufficient surety, approved by the clerk of the court granting the order or injunction, in an amount fixed by the court or judge allowing it, to secure to the party enjoined the damages he may sustain, if it is finally decided that the order or injunction should not have been granted.
The party obtaining the order or injunction may deposit, in lieu of such bond, with the clerk of the court granting the order or injunction, currency, cashier's check, certified check or negotiable government bonds in the amount fixed by the court.
Before judgment, upon reasonable notice to the party who obtained an injunction, a party enjoined may move the court for additional security. If the original security is found to be insufficient, the court may vacate the injunction unless, in reasonable time, sufficient security is provided.
No security shall be required of this state or political subdivision, or agency of either, or of any officer thereof acting in his representative capacity.
A surety upon a bond or undertaking under this rule submits himself to the jurisdiction of the court and irrevocably appoints the clerk of the court as his agent upon whom any papers affecting his liability on the bond or undertaking may be served. His liability as well as the liability of the party obtaining the order or injunction may be enforced by the court without jury on motion without the necessity for an independent action. The motion and such notice of the motion as the court prescribes may be served on the clerk of the court who shall forthwith mail copies to the persons giving the security if their addresses are known.
DForm and scope of restraining order or injunction
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 upon the parties to the action, their officers, agents, servants, employees, attorneys and those persons in active concert or participation with them who receive actual notice of the order whether by personal service or otherwise.
EService of temporary restraining orders and injunctions
Restraining orders which are granted ex parte shall be served in the manner provided for service of process under Rule 4 through Rule 4.3 and Rule 4.6; or in manner directed by order of the court. If the restraining order is granted upon a pleading or motion accompanying a pleading the order may be served with the process and pleading. When service is made pursuant to Rule 4 through Rule 4.3 and Rule 4.6 the sheriff or the person designated by order of the court shall forthwith make his return.
Restraining orders or injunctions which are granted with notice may be served in the manner provided under Rule 4 through Rule 4.3 and Rule 4.6, in the manner provided in Rule 5 or in the manner designated by order of the court. When service is made pursuant to Rule 4 through Rule 4.3 and Rule 4.6 the sheriff or the person designated by order of the court shall forthwith make his return.
Amendment History
Effective Date: July 1, 1970
Plain-English Summary
Division (A) lets a court grant a temporary restraining order without notice to the adverse party only if specific facts in an affidavit or verified complaint clearly show that immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage will result before the adverse party can be heard, and the applicant's attorney certifies in writing the efforts made to give notice and why notice shouldn't be required. Every such order must be endorsed with the date and time of issuance, filed immediately with the clerk, define the injury and explain why it's irreparable, state why it was granted without notice, and expire within fourteen days unless extended once for good cause for a like period, or longer with the consent of the party restrained. A restrained party may move on two days' notice, or shorter notice the court sets, to dissolve or modify the order, and the motion must be heard as promptly as justice requires. When a temporary restraining order issues without notice, the motion for a preliminary injunction must be set for hearing at the earliest possible time and takes precedence over all other matters except older matters of the same character.
Division (B) governs preliminary injunctions: none may issue without reasonable notice to the adverse party, and the application may be included in the complaint or made by motion. Before or after a preliminary injunction hearing begins, the court may order the trial on the merits advanced and consolidated with that hearing, and evidence received at the preliminary injunction hearing that would be admissible at trial becomes part of the trial record without needing to be repeated, all without limiting either party's right to a jury trial.
Division (C) makes a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction inoperative until the party who obtained it gives security, in an amount the court fixes, for the costs and damages a wrongfully enjoined or restrained party may sustain -- except that no security is required of this state, a political subdivision, or an officer or agency of either acting in an official capacity. A party may deposit cash or a negotiable government bond with the clerk in place of a bond, and before judgment, an enjoined party may move for additional security on reasonable notice. Anyone who provides security submits to the court's jurisdiction and appoints the clerk as agent for service of any papers affecting liability on the bond.
Division (D) requires every order granting an injunction or restraining order to state the reasons for its issuance, describe with reasonable detail -- not by reference to another document -- the act or acts restrained or required, and bind only the parties, their officers, agents, employees, and attorneys, and anyone in active concert with them who receives actual notice. Division (E) sets the manner of serving temporary restraining orders and injunctions, whether granted ex parte or with notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can a court issue a temporary restraining order without notifying the other side?
Only when specific facts in an affidavit or verified complaint clearly show immediate and irreparable injury before a hearing can be held, and the applicant's attorney certifies what efforts were made to give notice and why more notice isn't possible.
How long does a temporary restraining order last?
No more than fourteen days, though the court may extend it once for a like period for good cause, or longer if the restrained party agrees.
Is security always required before an injunction takes effect?
Generally yes -- a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction is inoperative until the party who obtained it posts security, except when the party is this state, a political subdivision, or an officer or agency of either acting officially.
Source & verification. The rule text, Effective Date, Amended dates, and Staff Notes are reproduced verbatim from the
official Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure (Ohio R. Civ. P. 65). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Ohio (Ohio Constitution, Art. IV, § 5(B)). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 1, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as:temporary restraining orderTROpreliminary injunctioninjunction bond