What is the legal term used to stop a person from performing a certain act by court order?

An injunction is a legal term that refers to a court order commanding a person to do or refrain from doing a specific act. It is often used to prevent harm or to maintain the status quo while a legal case is being decided. Injunctions can be temporary (preliminary injunctions) or permanent. They are essential tools in civil law that can protect the rights of individuals or entities by prohibiting actions that could cause irreparable harm.

In contrast, equity refers to a broader system of law that addresses issues of fairness and justice, often working alongside common law but not specifically referring to a court order aimed at stopping an action. Escrow is a financial arrangement where a third party holds funds or assets until specific conditions are met and does not involve court orders. An estate generally refers to the net worth of an individual at any point in time, including all assets and liabilities, and is unrelated to court orders controlling actions.