Provisional measures in civil procedure

Provisional measures provide rapid, temporary protection where waiting for a final judgment could cause irreparable harm or make enforcement difficult. In Swiss civil procedure, they may order a party to do, refrain from doing, or tolerate something, secure evidence, or preserve the status quo. The applicant usually must show a plausible claim, urgency and threatened disadvantage; security may be required. Measures can be granted before or during main proceedings and may be modified or lifted. They remain provisional and do not replace the final decision on the merits.