Third-party debt order
Also called: Garnishee order (historical), TPDO
A court order that freezes money held by a third party (such as a bank) that is owed to the judgment debtor, and directs it to be paid to the judgment creditor instead.
Definition
A third-party debt order (TPDO) — formerly called a garnishee order — is an enforcement method used after judgment. It intercepts money owed to the judgment debtor by a third party (most commonly the debtor's bank or building society) and redirects it to satisfy the judgment. The procedure under CPR Part 72 has two stages: (1) an interim TPDO is made without notice, which freezes the funds in the third party's hands; (2) a final TPDO is made at a hearing where the debtor and third party can object, directing the third party to pay the sum to the judgment creditor. The order can only attach money already owed to the debtor at the time of the order — it cannot attach future debts or salary (salary attachments are done via attachment of earnings orders instead). A TPDO is particularly effective against bank accounts where you know the debtor holds funds. It can also be used against debts owed to the debtor by trade customers. The court fee for the application is £119 (2026).
In practice
Before applying for a TPDO, you need to know which bank or institution holds the debtor's account and (ideally) the account number. You can obtain this information via an order to obtain information (a judgment debtor examination). Apply using Form N349 at the County Court Money Claims Centre. The interim order freezes funds immediately; then a hearing is listed. See the <a href="/guides/debt/county-court-money-claim" class="body-link">county court money claim guide</a> for the overall enforcement process and the <a href="/glossary/warrant-of-control" class="body-link">warrant of control entry</a> for the alternative where the debtor has goods rather than bank funds.