Third Party Debt Order

A court order requiring a third party who owes money to the judgement debtor (most commonly a bank or building society) to pay that money directly to the judgement creditor instead. It was formerly known as a garnishee order.

In practice

The creditor applies without notice for an interim order, which freezes the debtor's account at the point it is served on the bank. A hearing follows at which the debtor can object. If made final, the bank must pay the frozen funds to the creditor. The order only catches funds held at the moment of service: it does not apply to future deposits.