Can a court order someone to stop doing something while my lawsuit is ongoing in Ontario?
Yes. In Ontario, a party can seek an injunction — a court order requiring someone to stop (or sometimes start) doing something. An interlocutory injunction is temporary relief granted during the litigation to preserve the status quo until the case is resolved. In urgent situations where waiting could cause irreparable harm, you can seek an emergency (ex parte) injunction on very short notice.
To obtain an interlocutory injunction in Ontario, the court applies a three-part test: (1) is there a serious question to be tried? (2) would you suffer irreparable harm if the injunction is not granted? and (3) does the balance of convenience favour granting the order? Courts also generally require the moving party to give an undertaking in damages — a promise to compensate the other side if the injunction turns out to have been wrongly granted.
Injunctions are serious remedies and courts do not grant them lightly. The process can be fast-moving and complex. If you need urgent relief to stop ongoing harm — such as a breach of a non-compete, disclosure of confidential information, or trespass — contact a litigation lawyer immediately.
Key takeaways
- Interlocutory injunctions pause or require action pending the outcome of a trial.
- Courts apply a three-part test: serious question, irreparable harm, and balance of convenience.
- You must typically provide an undertaking in damages as a condition of the order.
- Act immediately if you need urgent injunctive relief — delays can be fatal to the motion.