Preservation order
Updated 2026-09-29
A preservation order is a court order that requires a person, company, or bank to keep specific assets, funds, or records intact and unchanged until a case is resolved. It is broader than a freeze order, which focuses specifically on stopping money movement.
A preservation order can also cover documents and electronic records, such as transaction logs or account statements, that might otherwise be deleted or altered. This matters in scam cases where evidence of how money moved is central to the claim.
Courts grant these orders when there is a real risk that evidence or assets could disappear before trial. The applicant usually needs to show a genuine and urgent risk, not just a general concern.
When it matters
A preservation order is often sought alongside a freeze order early in a civil claim, before the other party has a chance to move or destroy anything relevant.
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