A temporary restraining order (TRO) is a court order requiring the parties to whom it is addressed not to engage in certain activity, or to continue to engage in certain activity, and is usually designed to maintain the current state of things (the status quo) until the court has the opportunity to hear a more complete presentation of the evidence—usually during an application for a temporary injunction that will remain in place while the lawsuit is pending.

In Kentucky, a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) is a legal measure used to provide immediate but short-term protection to individuals or entities by ordering another party to cease or continue certain actions. It is typically granted without the presence of the party to be restrained and is designed to preserve the status quo until a formal hearing can be held. The TRO is often a precursor to a more extended form of relief known as a preliminary injunction, which may last for the duration of a lawsuit. To obtain a TRO in Kentucky, the requesting party must file a motion along with a sworn statement detailing the need for immediate relief. The court will consider factors such as the likelihood of irreparable harm without the TRO, the balance of harm between parties, and the requesting party's likelihood of success on the merits of the case. If granted, a TRO is typically in effect for 14 days, with the possibility of extension, and a hearing for a preliminary injunction is usually scheduled within that time frame. Kentucky state statutes and rules of civil procedure outline the specific requirements and processes for obtaining a TRO.