A court order is an official proclamation by a judge (or panel of judges) that defines the legal relationships between the parties before the court and requires the carrying out of certain steps by one or more parties to a case. It can be a simple as setting a date for trial or as complex as restrucuring contractual relationships by and between many corporations in a multi-jurisdictional dispute (i.e. different states or countries). It may be an interim order, or
temporary restraining order[?] (TRO) to preserve the status quo which may later overturned or vacated during the litigation or it may be a final order and judgment only subject to appeal.
In the area of domestic violence courts will routinely issue a temporary order of protection[?] (TOP) (or temporary protective order) (TPO) to prevent any further violence. In family law temporary orders can also be called pendente lite relief and may include grants of temporary child custody, visitation, spousal support and maintenance.