Mareva injunction

A Mareva injunction (also called a freezing order) is a court order that stops a defendant from moving, hiding, or spending their assets while a civil case is ongoing. It does not give you the money; it simply preserves it so a later judgment is not worthless.

When it matters

Courts grant a Mareva injunction only where there is real risk the defendant will dissipate assets before trial, so it usually needs to be applied for quickly and supported by clear evidence. It is often used alongside a tracing order to follow money through the banking system. Because of the cost and urgency involved, read about whether legal action is worth it before deciding, and consider freezing scam funds as a starting point for what this route can achieve.