Hiring a private investigator in the UK may seem to many to be difficult. There will be peo-ple who worry that hiring a private investigator is not legal. Some people are concerned about the ethics of a private investigator or private intelligence firm. Many may worry that they will be charged extortionate fees. Identifying a service provider in an industry that is unregulated and unlicensed (as in the UK) can seem daunting.
Let's help you navigate the world of private investigations in the UK.
Identify Your Issue
What is the problem/concern/issue you think a private investigator may be able to help you with? Mostly we find that our clients have a concern or issue, whereby they need further information so that they can make an informed decision. This could be a personal matter regarding a relationship, or a family member. The issue could be associated with a legal process they are involved in (such as a divorce or custody matter). Perhaps the issue is a professional matter, such as concerns about a business partner, a client or an investor.
Whatever the matter is, ensure that you have thought about how you can describe this to any private investigator, during an initial consultation. Obviously, during an initial meeting when you are still considering which service provider to select, you don't want to give too many specific details. You need to give enough information for the potential service provider to develop a strategy and provide a quote. But not so much that a less professional provider could use any information in a negative way. Also, consider what result/outcome you need or expect.
Selecting Service Providers
When you have identified an issue that you feel would benefit from the services of a private investigator, selecting a service provider that suits your needs is essential. An initial discussion with a number of private investigators is a starting point.
Once you have identified a number of service providers in your area, arrange to meet them. Most often we suggest you do this in a public space or alternatively at their offices. (Though we understand that some potential clients would prefer not to be seen entering the offices of a private investigation/private intelligence agency if they wish to keep the relationship covert.)
During your initial consultation, ask the service provider about previous cases. Ask them to provide their corporate code of conduct. Do they have an ethical approach to covert surveillance and investigations? Ensure you are told details of the fee and payment structure. Discuss service cancellation policies and anticipated expense charges. Ask them about data protection, confidentiality and information security. Tell any service provider, honestly, any concerns you may have about the industry, about using private investigators or about costs. Listen carefully to how they address your concerns.
Comparisons
After discussing your issue with a number of service providers, you should receive a number of initial strategies, alongside expected time frames and costs.
Based on your initial meeting and the initial quotation, you should be in a position to feel comfortable selecting a service provider that meets your needs.
Always Remember - You are the client. You should always be able to approve an action or discuss a strategy and agree or disagree.
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