interlocutory

In the course of litigation, at any time before the final hearing a party to the litigation may wish to move the court to take some action. Interlocutory is an adjective that refers to any part of the proceedings that takes place prior to the final hearing.

The term is used because it designates the application, order, judgment or appeal as temporary and not a final resolution of the entire controversy or disputes between the parties.

In the UK, this adjective has been overtaken in preference for the word “interim”, which has precisely the same use.

Usage: To prevent the continuing losses suffered at the hands of the defendant, the claimant applied for an interlocutory injunction.

Related Words: interim order; litigation; interlocutory injunction; inter se; inter parties; final order; interim judgment; final judgment.