What is the primary purpose of injunctions in civil cases?

The primary purpose of injunctions in civil cases is to prevent or compel actions by parties during litigation. An injunction is a court order that either restrains a party from performing a specific act (prohibitory injunction) or requires them to perform a particular act (mandatory injunction). The core function of injunctions is to maintain the status quo and provide immediate relief to a party in order to prevent irreparable harm while the underlying legal issues are being resolved. This allows the court to intervene when a situation may worsen or escalate before a final decision is made, ensuring that justice is served more effectively and helping to uphold legal rights during the legal process.

Other options do not align with the fundamental role of injunctions in the civil context. For instance, monetary compensation relates to damages awarded after a lawsuit is concluded, while enforcing contracts typically involves different legal actions such as specific performance rather than the temporary relief offered by an injunction. Expediting the court process does not directly concern the objectives of injunctions, which focus specifically on the behavior of parties before the final determination of a case.