Freezing Order Solicitors
Breakthrough Solicitors provides expert legal advice for individuals navigating the complexities of freezing orders and potential hidden assets.
Start with a straightforward, free initial consultation with a financial settlement expert to understand your rights.
Owner of Breakthrough Solicitors
Solicitor & Mediator
Father of Two
Why choose Breakthrough Solicitors for Freezing Order matters?
Navigating a divorce when financial transparency is in doubt can be very stressful. This usually happens when one party attempts to hide or move personal assets to avoid them being part of the financial settlement.
Assets that are usually hidden or moved include:
- bank accounts
- property
- business interests
A Freezing Order, such as an injunction under Section 37 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 can help preserve these assets, to help reach a fair and equitable settlement based on full financial disclosure.
At Breakthrough Solicitors, we provide expert guidance for both sides. Whether you need an emergency injunction to protect your share of the assets, or you are defending against a restrictive order that threatens your business, we provide the calm, strategic oversight required to manage the situation.
Why clients choose us:
- Expertise in family law: Our solicitors have over 20 years of combined experience in family law matters, including dealing with Freezing Orders.
- A balanced and supportive approach: We act for both applicants and respondents. This dual perspective allows us to anticipate the other side’s strategy, providing you with a clearer understanding of your rights and the likely outcomes.
- Trustworthiness: Our reputation is built on professionalism, honesty, and accessibility. Clients consistently praise our clear advice and supportive approach during emotionally difficult times, as reflected in our reviews.
- Urgent action when it matters: In cases of asset dissipation, time is of the essence. We are equipped to handle emergency “without notice” applications to secure your position, or to act immediately to apply to vary an order if it prevents you from meeting reasonable living or legal expenses
- Multilingual advice: Clear, jargon-free legal advice available in English, Hindi, Gujarati, and Cantonese.
- Flexible locations and remote support: We work with clients across England and Wales—remotely or in person at our offices in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, and London.
- Convenient meeting times: We offer flexible appointments:
- Monday – Friday: 8am – 8pm
- Saturday: 9am – 6pm
- Sunday: 11am – 5pm
Speak to a Freezing Order solicitor today!
Owner of Breakthrough Solicitors
Solicitor & Mediator
Father of Two
How Breakthrough Solicitors support you with Freezing Orders
A Freezing Order, which in family law typically proceeds as a Section 37 Injunction, is a temporary “holding pattern” designed to maintain the status quo until your financial settlement is finalised.
Whether you are applying to prevent the loss of matrimonial wealth or defending your right to manage your own finances, our Freezing Order solicitors can provide a structured, legal process for both parties:
- Initial emergency consultation: A confidential discussion to understand your situation and priorities – whether you are bringing about or defending against a Freezing Order.
- Building the case: For those defending an order, we gather proof that your financial dealings are part of the “ordinary course of business” or personal living needs, rather than an attempt to hide wealth. For those bringing about an order, if there is a case, we help document the risk of assets being moved.
- Litigation: We provide expert representation at the initial emergency hearing and the subsequent “Return Date”.
- Securing “Carve-outs” for Expenses: We help ensure that no order “starves” a party of funds, negotiating specific allowances so you can continue to pay for reasonable living costs, legal fees, and business overheads.
- Forensic Tracing and “Set Aside” Orders: If assets have already been moved, we work to trace them and can apply to “undo” recent transactions, bringing that value back into the matrimonial pot.
- Transition to Final Settlement: Once transparency is restored, we use the stability provided by the injunction to negotiate a final “clean break” and a fair financial division.
Common legal challenges for Freezing Orders — and how we build a case to protect you
Applying for or defending a Freezing Order is technically demanding. Success depends on presenting “solid evidence” rather than mere suspicion. We help you navigate these complexities to ensure a fair and transparent process.
Key areas we focus on include:
- Proving or disputing “real risk”: We help applicants gather concrete evidence of asset dissipation (e.g., offshore transfers) or help respondents prove their financial dealings are legitimate “business as usual.”
- Full and honest financial disclosure: Ensuring all assets and debts are clearly identified and documented.
- Protecting living and business expenses: If we are defending against a Freezing Order, we help ensure that the party can still pay for reasonable living costs, legal fees, and essential business overheads.
- Managing financial risk: We advise applicants on the risks of paying damages if an order is unjustified, and help respondents claim compensation for losses caused by an unfair freeze.
- Forensic tracing and “set aside” orders: If assets have already been moved, we work with specialists to trace them and apply to “undo” transactions made to defeat a claim.
- Urgent and proportional action: We provide a realistic assessment for both sides, ensuring that any application or defence is legally sound and focused on a fair financial split.
Your rights and options regarding Freezing Orders
A Freezing Order is a significant legal step that temporarily overrides an individual’s right to manage their own property. Whether you are seeking to preserve the matrimonial estate or defending your financial independence, we help you:
- Lock down bank accounts, property, and investments before they are moved
- Secure “carve-outs” to ensure you can still pay for living costs and childcare
- Protect the “ordinary course of business” to keep your company operational
- Release frozen funds to cover your ongoing legal fees and representation
- Challenge and discharge orders obtained through misleading information
- Claim compensation for financial losses caused by an unjustified freeze
- “Undo” recent asset transfers to third parties to bring value back into the settlement
We focus on ensuring any court intervention is fair and proportionate, providing the strategic oversight needed to protect your long-term interests.
Speak to a Freezing Order solicitor today!
Owner of Breakthrough Solicitors
Solicitor & Mediator
Father of Two
How to start your Freezing Order matter with Breakthrough Solicitors
Taking the first step doesn’t have to be daunting. We make the process clear and manageable.
- Get in touch: Contact us by phone, email, or online enquiry form.
- Free initial consultation (up to 30 minutes): Speak with an experienced family solicitor, understand your options, and ask questions — with no obligation.
- Fixed-fee one-hour meeting – £295 (incl. VAT): Meet with Akash Soni and a member of his team to discuss your case in detail, understand how the law applies to you, and receive a tailored strategy. (We’ll ask for documents in advance for KYC and AML checks.)
- Formal instruction: If you choose to proceed, we will send you a client care letter and request a deposit (usually £500, depending on complexity).
- Ongoing support: We take action on your behalf, negotiate where possible, and represent you where required — keeping you informed at every step.
Flexible Support That Fits Around You
✓ Remote or Face-to-Face Meetings
We offer meetings remotely via video call, or in person at our offices in Amersham, Beaconsfield, Berkhamsted, Chesham, Chorleywood, Gerrards Cross, Harrow, High Wycombe, Mayfair, Milton Keynes, Rickmansworth or The Chalfonts — whichever suits you best.
✓ Advice In Multiple Languages
Support available in English, Cantonese, Hindi, and Gujarati.
✓ Extended Working Hours
Speak to us 7 days a week, including evenings and weekends.
Speak to a Freezing Order solicitor today!
Owner of Breakthrough Solicitors
Solicitor & Mediator
Father of Two
Frequently Asked Questions About Freezing Orders
Can my spouse hide assets during a divorce?
During divorce, in order for a fair financial settlement, parties need to ensure that each party fully discloses their assets and finances. This is known as full and frank disclosure. Your spouse may conceal assets, however, there are sanctions for this.
What is a Freezing Order?
A Freezing Order (sometimes referred to as a Freezing Injunction) is an interim injunction granted by the Court restraining a party from disposing or dealing with assets.
What is the purpose of a Freezing Order?
Within divorce proceedings, it is most commonly utilised by a party to prevent the other party from frustrating the financial proceedings and attempting to hide and/or dissipate assets.
What assets can be frozen?
Assets that can be frozen include bank accounts, investments, private and public shares, property, land, and motor vehicles. Even less tangible assets such as goodwill, insurance premiums, IP rights, and cryptocurrency can be frozen in certain circumstances.
Who is bound by a Freezing Order?
Freezing Orders may bind not only your spouse but any third parties who deal with or benefit from the assets covered by the order; for example, trustees, business partners and/or bank managers.
What if my spouse breaches a Freezing Order?
This would be a breach of the Freezing Order and the party responsible may face contempt of court proceedings. This is a serious matter that carries severe penalties, including significant fines or, in extreme cases, a custodial sentence (imprisonment).
What is the penalty for hiding assets during divorce?
The court can punish your spouse in a number of different ways.
- One penalty is being ordered to pay the legal costs of the other party.
- The person hiding the assets may also receive a less favourable financial settlement than they would have been awarded otherwise.
- The court also has the power to still include hidden assets in the financial settlement.
- The penalty for hiding assets could include a criminal record and maybe even a prison sentence.
What can the courts do to stop the assets being hidden?
There are various provisions that courts can use in order to stop your spouse transferring assets, or to order assets to be transferred back if they have already been transferred. When looking for hidden funds the court has the power to:
- Use a search order to discover whether there are hidden assets (this only tends to apply when the assets are significant, as search orders can be expensive).
- Make a Freezing Order to prevent assets being disposed of.
- Order the already-disposed assets to be transferred back (Avoidance of Dispositions Order).
What if my spouse is in the process of disposing or has already disposed of assets in order to defeat my claim?
Under these circumstances, you can make an application for an Avoidance of Dispositions Order, which is an order made by the Family Court or the High Court, setting aside or preventing a transaction by one party that was/is being made with the aim of defeating his/her spouse’s application for financial provision.
Can I gather evidence that my spouse is hiding assets?
Yes, you may wish to gather evidence, but only within the confines of the law. It is important that you go about collecting the information in the right way in order to avoid inadvertently committing a criminal offence, which could result in you going to prison. You also need to be aware of any relevant civil laws, so you don’t end up being sued for damages.
Before you start gathering evidence of your spouse’s hidden assets it is a good idea to get legal advice to make sure you do not fall foul of any criminal or civil laws. You may also want to employ a forensic accountant to ensure smoother divorce proceedings.
What Is the role of a Forensic Accountant in divorce?
The main role of the forensic accountant in divorce matters is to ensure financial transparency by investigating the parties finances, both personal and business, with the ultimate aim being to identify and investigate any discrepancies, including revealing hidden assets and income.
What should I do if I have been served with a Freezing Order?
Being served with a Freezing Order can be a shock, but it is vital to act calmly and quickly. You must comply with the terms immediately to avoid being in contempt of court, but you should contact a solicitor straight away to review the evidence used against you.
Our Freezing Order solicitors can help you identify if the applicant failed their “duty of full and frank disclosure” or if the order is based on inaccurate information, which could lead to the order being discharged.
Can I challenge a Freezing Order if the accusations are false?
Yes. A Freezing Order is often granted “without notice,” meaning the judge only heard one side of the story. At the “return date” hearing, we can present your evidence to show there is no “real risk of dissipation.”
If we can prove your financial actions were part of your ordinary course of business or that the applicant misled the court, we can apply to have the injunction lifted and potentially claim damages for any losses you suffered.
How can I pay my bills and legal fees if my accounts are frozen?
A Freezing Order is not intended to leave you without means. Most orders include “carve-outs”—allowances that let you spend a specific amount on reasonable living expenses and legal costs.
If the current allowance is too low to cover your mortgage, business overheads, or childcare, we can apply to the court for a “variation” to increase these limits, ensuring your daily life and ability to defend yourself are not unfairly restricted.
When Will The Court Grant A Freezing Order?
An application for a Freezing Order must adhere to the duty of full and frank disclosure.
The applicant has to be able to show that:
- They have a good arguable case
- There is a real risk of dissipation
- The assets are within the jurisdiction or subject to the court’s control (This includes the ability to seek Worldwide Freezing Orders (WFOs) where assets are held offshore)
- It is just and right to grant the order
When the court is deliberating over the decision, they will apply the ‘balance of convenience’ test, meaning all relevant factors will be taken into account to evaluate the disadvantage which may be caused to the respondent, weighed up against the benefit to the applicant of the injunction being granted.
What happens in the free consultation?
A 30-minute, no-obligation call where you discuss your situation and options with an experienced family solicitor.
What is the fixed fee meeting?
A one-hour advice session costing £295 (including VAT), where we provide tailored legal advice and a clear strategy going forward.