Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Provisional liquidator definition

What does Provisional liquidator mean? A provisional liquidator is a temporary insolvency office-holder appointed by the court, after a winding‑up petition is presented and before any winding‑up order, to take urgent control of the company’s assets and affairs so they are preserved pending the petition’s determination. The role is created by insolvency legislation in each jurisdiction (for example, the Insolvency Act 1986 in Great Britain, the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, and the Companies Act 2014 in Ireland) and developed by case law. Key features include: swift court appointment on evidence of risk to assets, business records or the public; powers tailored by the order (typically...

Provisional Liquidators in England and Wales: Grounds, Court Tests and Discretion, Appointment Procedure, Powers, Effects and Remuneration

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Practice notes

What is a provisional liquidator?

A provisional liquidator is essentially a temporary liquidator, appointed under section 135 of the insolvency Act 1986 (IA 1986) as an interim measure, with either a licensed insolvency practitioner (IP) or the official receiver (OR) taking the role before the court makes a winding-up order, or before the winding-up petition is heard or otherwise determined. Further detailed explanation of the procedure and its consequences appears below. IA 1986, s 135 is bolstered by the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 (IR 2016), SI 2016/1024, rr 7.33–7.39. For guidance on applications to appoint a provisional liquidator, the hearing, the order, costs, security, and bringing the appointment to an end, see Practice Note: The appointment of a provisional liquidator.

Why are provisional liquidators appointed?

The principal driver for such an appointment is the need for swift intervention to assume control of the company and safeguard its assets. Without this short-term step, creditors of the company are likely to suffer loss. Accordingly, installing a provisional liquidator is necessary to preserve the company’s assets until a liquidator is put in place on the making of a winding-up order. An appointment may extend to the protection of the company's assets...

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Web page updated on 28/05/2026

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