Rule 683.Form and Scope of Injunction or Restraining Order

Last amended April 1, 1984 · Last verified June 28, 2026

In one sentenceRule 683 requires every injunction and restraining order to state the reasons for its issuance, be specific in its terms, and describe in reasonable detail the acts restrained, and requires a temporary-injunction order to set the cause for trial on the merits.

Full Text of Rule 683

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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 the parties to the action, their officers, agents, servants, employees, and attorneys, and upon those persons in active concert or participation with them who receive actual notice of the order by personal service or otherwise. Every order granting a temporary injunction shall include an order setting the cause for trial on the merits with respect to the ultimate relief sought. The appeal of a temporary injunction shall constitute no cause for delay of the trial.

End

Plain-English Summary

Rule 683 sets the form. Every order granting an injunction and every restraining order must set forth the reasons for its issuance, be specific in its terms, and describe in reasonable detail — not by reference to the complaint — the act or acts sought to be restrained. It binds only the parties, their officers, agents, and those in active concert with them who receive notice.

An order granting a temporary injunction must also include an order setting the cause for trial on the merits — a requirement the 1984 amendment confirmed, so a temporary injunction does not drift without a trial date.

Frequently Asked Questions

What must a Texas injunction order contain?

The reasons for it, specific terms, a detailed description of the restrained acts, and — for a temporary injunction — a trial setting on the merits (Rule 683).

Who is bound by a Texas injunction order besides the named parties?

Rule 683 also binds the parties' officers, agents, servants, employees, and attorneys, plus anyone else acting in concert with them who gets actual notice of the order.

Does appealing a Texas temporary injunction delay the trial?

No. Rule 683 says an appeal of the temporary injunction is no reason to delay the trial on the merits.

Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 683), published by the Texas Judicial Branch (txcourts.gov). Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas. The plain-English summary is original and draws on official sources. Last verified June 28, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: form and scope of injunctionspecific terms injunctiontrial on the merits injunctionTRCP 683