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Interim · 05 Editorial guide

Interim measures

Interim relief is target-, forum- and clock-specific. Identify the precise property, evidence or conduct at risk, the competent court, urgency and security; then calendar the follow-on proceeding needed to keep pre-action relief alive.

First job Identify what must be preserved, available forum and timing constraints.

Start here

Do not wait if the asset or file can move

Preservation is time-sensitive. This hub does not file an application; it routes you to the specialist guide and counsel.

Open the preservation guide

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Key considerations

The first questions are about urgency, governance and preservation — before collection expands or interviews begin.

  1. What will be gone if you wait?
  2. Which forum can order preservation?
  3. What facts can be shown quickly?

Decision map

Keep the question bounded.

  1. Specify the preservation targetIdentify bank, equity, receivable, real property, machinery, evidence source or conduct precisely enough for an order and practical execution.
  2. Prove urgency and proportionalityShow the dispute, threatened dissipation or evidential loss, connection to requested relief and why delay would cause irreparable or hard-to-remedy harm.
  3. Select court and securityTest the court connected to the asset, evidence, respondent or proceeding; prepare an acceptable security structure and respond quickly to supplementation requests.
  4. Execute and follow throughCoordinate account or registry details, protect confidentiality, file the merits proceeding within the applicable window and monitor expiry, substitution, objection and release.

Timeline

Sequence and clocks that change the next action.

  1. ImmediateVerify the target, location, ownership and dissipation facts; preserve the proof and avoid warning the counterparty unnecessarily.
  2. ApplicationFile forum, urgency, merits nexus, property particulars and security materials as one coherent package.
  3. After orderConfirm execution, start the required follow-on proceeding, manage objections and track duration, renewal, substitution or release.

Quick answers

Need the short version? Start with one narrow question.

These explainers answer one question. They do not replace this topic route or a deep guide.

Quick AnswerAsset Preservation in ChinaProperty preservation is a Civil Procedure Law lock on a defendant’s assets, usually with security. Pre-suit preservation exists but is tight. Reviewed 6 Sep 2026.Quick AnswerFreezing Bank Accounts in China LitigationA court can freeze a PRC bank account in litigation or pre-suit preservation. You need an account lead and security — the bank will not freeze on a lawyer letter. Reviewed 6 Sep 20Quick AnswerProperty Preservation in ChinaCourts can seal or restrict transfer of PRC land, houses and equity so a defendant cannot sell during the case. Security is usual. Reviewed 6 Sep 2026.Quick AnswerInterim Measures in China ArbitrationPRC courts, not the tribunal alone, generally issue asset or evidence preservation in aid of arbitration (including many foreign-related cases). Reviewed 6 Sep 2026.

Curated resources

Open the asset that matches this job.

01
Guide

2023 Civil Procedure Law amendment

Official NPC amendment covering foreign-related jurisdiction, parallel proceedings, recognition and enforcement provisions effective from 2024.

02
Guide

Revised Arbitration Law effective 1 March 2026

Official NPC announcement of the revised 96-article Arbitration Law and its effective date.

Helpful to prepare

Facts that make the next conversation clearer.

These items are orientation aids, not a legal requirement list.

Asset or evidence to be preservedLocation and known counterpartiesAny existing proceeding or clause

Local context

Add the forum city only when procedure changes.

Court, arbitration institution and preservation practice can differ after the national route is identified.

Open city and province guides

Counsel hand-off

Need disputes counsel?

This hub maps proceeding stage, evidence and forum. It does not decide claims, strategy or outcome on your facts.

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Move carefully. Move with a record.

Use the portal to identify counsel for this practice and related China-side issues.

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