Legal Definitions - interim order

An interim order is a temporary order issued by a judge or administrative agency that is put into effect until a final decision is made. It is used to maintain the status quo until the final decision is reached.

For example, a court can issue a temporary restraining order at the beginning of a case, which prevents the restrained party from coming in contact with the affected party while the court proceedings take place. This is a type of interim order that asks a party to stop doing something.

Interim orders can also direct a party to do a certain act. For instance, a court can order a landlord to make necessary repairs to a rental property while a tenant's complaint is being heard.

Interim orders are provisional and can change as the case progresses. They are used to ensure that no party is unfairly disadvantaged while the case is being heard.