What does the term 'prima facie' refer to in the context of interlocutory injunctions?

In the context of interlocutory injunctions, the term 'prima facie' refers to an initial case with sufficient evidence to support the granting of the injunction. It indicates that, at first glance or on the face of it, the party seeking the injunction has presented enough evidence to establish a strong enough likelihood of success on the merits of their case. This does not mean that the party is guaranteed to win in the end; rather, it means there is enough merit to warrant judicial consideration.

When courts assess whether to grant an interlocutory injunction, they usually evaluate whether the applicant has established a prima facie case. This assessment involves looking at whether there is enough evidence presented which, if left unchallenged, would support the applicant's claims against the opposing party. Thus, the threshold for 'prima facie' is not as rigorous as that required for a final determination but sufficient enough to justify the temporary relief sought while the case is being resolved.

This concept is critical in the context of interlocutory injunctions, as the court has to balance the interests of both parties and consider whether it would be appropriate to interfere with one party's actions before an actual determination of the case is made.