10 June 2026

Freezing orders, explained

When the money might disappear before you win, a freezing order stops it moving. What it is, how fast it can happen, and what it asks of you.
A brass key on a stack of bound documents

A freezing order is a court order that stops the other side moving or hiding assets while your claim is decided. It is one of the strongest tools a claimant has, and one of the least understood.

What you need to show

A good arguable case, a real risk that assets will be moved, and clean hands. The court also expects you to promise to pay damages if the order turns out to be wrong.

How fast it moves

Applications can be heard within days, sometimes without notice to the other side. The preparation is intense, which is why the partner runs it personally.

What it does not do

It does not give you the money. It keeps it where it is until the claim is decided, and puts the other side under real pressure to settle.