What is meant by 'interim relief' in a legal context?

In a legal context, 'interim relief' refers to temporary measures that a court orders before the final resolution of a case. This type of relief is essential for preventing harm or maintaining the status quo while the case is ongoing. For instance, a court may grant interim relief to stop a party from taking certain actions that could cause irreparable harm to the other party or to ensure that evidence is preserved.

The focus of interim relief is to provide immediate assistance and safeguard rights until a conclusive judgment is rendered. This is particularly vital in urgent situations where waiting for a final decision could lead to significant issues that the court cannot rectify later on.

By contrast, final decisions made by the court represent the conclusion of a case, whereas a request for a permanent injunction pertains to ongoing enforcement after a case is resolved. Compensation awarded after trial relates to judgments rendered post-evidence evaluation, which is distinctly different from the pre-emptive nature of interim relief.