Rule 1531.Special Relief. Injunctions.

Adopted January 4, 1952 · Last amended December 16, 2003 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 1531 requires notice and a hearing before a court issues a preliminary or special injunction, except where immediate and irreparable injury would occur first, and conditions injunctive relief on a bond.

Full Text of Rule 1531

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)

(a) A court shall issue a preliminary or special injunction only after written notice and hearing unless it appears to the satisfaction of the court that immediate and irreparable injury will be sustained before notice can be given or a hearing held, in which case the court may issue a preliminary or special injunction without a hearing or without notice. In determining whether a preliminary or special injunction should be granted and whether notice or a hearing should be required, the court may act on the basis of the averments of the pleadings or petition and may consider affidavits of parties or third persons or any other proof which the court may require.

(b) Except when the plaintiff is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a political subdivision or a department, board, commission, instrumentality or officer of the Commonwealth or of a political subdivision, a preliminary or special injunction shall be granted only if

(1) the plaintiff files a bond in an amount fixed and with security approved by the court, naming the Commonwealth as obligee, conditioned that if the injunction is dissolved because improperly granted or for failure to hold a hearing, the plaintiff shall pay to any person injured all damages sustained by reason of granting the injunction and all legally taxable costs and fees, or

(2) the plaintiff deposits with the prothonotary legal tender of the United States in an amount fixed by the court to be held by the prothonotary upon the same condition as provided for the injunction bond.

(d) An injunction granted without notice to the defendant shall be deemed dissolved unless a hearing on the continuance of the injunction is held within five days after the granting of the injunction or within such other time as the parties may agree or as the court upon cause shown shall direct.

(e) After a preliminary hearing, the court shall make an order dissolving, continuing or modifying the injunction.

(f)

(1) When a preliminary or special injunction involving freedom of expres-sion is issued, either without notice or after notice and hearing, the court shall hold a final hearing within three days after demand by the defendant. A final order shall be filed in the office of the prothonotary within twenty-four hours after the close of the hearing. If the final hearing is not held within the three-day period, or if the final order is not filed within twenty-four hours after the close of the hearing, the injunction shall be deemed dissolved.

(2) When the defendant demands such a final hearing, no further pleadings shall be required and Rule 1038(b) and (c) relating to decision in a trial without and Rules 227.1 to 227.3 relating to post-trial relief shall not apply.

(3) The trial judge shall file a written memorandum supporting the final order within five days after it is filed.

End

Plain-English Summary

An injunction is a powerful, fast-moving remedy, so this rule surrounds it with safeguards. A court issues a preliminary or special injunction only after written notice and a hearing — unless it is satisfied that immediate and irreparable injury would occur before notice can be given, in which case it may act first. Injunctive relief generally requires the party seeking it to post a bond, so the enjoined party has protection if the injunction proves wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a court give notice before issuing an injunction?

Yes, written notice and a hearing — unless immediate and irreparable injury would occur before notice can be given.

Is a bond required?

Generally yes, though the plaintiff may deposit cash with the prothonotary instead, and the Commonwealth and political subdivisions are exempt.

Official Note

Official Note: Section 601(b) of the Clean Streams Law, Act of June 22, 1937, P. L. 1987, 35 P. S. §§ 691.601(b), relieves the Attorney General, the district attorney or the solicitor of a municipality from the requirement of bond in injunction proceedings. Section 7 of the Act of April 11, 1929, P. L. 488, No. 205, 3 P. S. § 297, relating to certified, inspected or registered seeds, similarly provides that the Attorney General shall not be required to give bond in injunction proceedings.

Official Note: See Rule 1549(4), (11), (13), (17), (20), (21) and Rule 1550(12), (13), (20), (21), (22), (25), (26), (27), (29), (30) and (32) for reference to Acts of Assembly containing provisions relieving the Commonwealth, political subdivisions, and their agencies from the requirement of bond in injunction proceedings.

Official Note: See subdivision (f) of this rule for special provisions relating to injunction restraining freedom of expression. If an injunction has been issued without notice, it is optional with the defendant to waive a hearing on continuance of the injunction under this subdivision and proceed directly to a final hearing.

Official Note: The three-day period is the maximum time. In particular cases a shorter period may be required. The court is ‘‘always open for the transaction of judicial business.’’ See Section 324 of the Judicial Code, 42 Pa.C.S. § 324.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 1532 adopted January 4, 1952, effective July 1, 1952; amended through October 19, 1983, effective January 1, 1984, 13 Pa.B. 3629; amended June 3, 1994, effective July 1, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 3010; amended April 12, 1999, effective July 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2274; amended December 16, 2003, effective July 1, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 9. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (255265) to (255266).

Source & verification. Rule text, the Official Note, and the amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Pennsylvania Code, Title 231, the official compilation of rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Last verified June 30, 2026. · Official text

Also known as: preliminary injunctionspecial injunctioninjunction bondTRO