Does Hiring a Private Investigator Still Help in a No-Fault Divorce in the UK?
May 7, 2022 - Reading time: 5 minutes
Updated on: April 6, 2025
No one gets married expecting to divorce, yet sadly, sometimes relationships break down irretrievably. In England and Wales, divorces are now typically filed under a 'no-fault' system—meaning you no longer have to prove infidelity or wrongdoing to legally end your marriage.
So, with no-fault divorce in place since April 2022, does it still make sense to hire a private investigator during divorce proceedings?
Is Evidence of Infidelity Still Relevant?
Under the new no-fault divorce laws, proving adultery or other misconduct no longer affects your right to a divorce. This means that collecting evidence of an affair or wrongdoing won’t influence the granting of the divorce itself, nor will it generally impact how financial settlements or custody arrangements are decided.
UK courts today are concerned primarily with fair asset division and the welfare of children—not personal morality or infidelity.
When Can a Private Investigator Actually Help in Divorce Cases?
Although proof of an affair won't directly influence divorce outcomes, there are still several important ways in which a private investigator's findings can be beneficial:
- Evidence of Cohabitation: If your ex-spouse is claiming spousal maintenance but is living with a new partner, surveillance can confirm this new living arrangement. This information can lead to a reduction or even termination of maintenance payments.
- Finding Hidden Assets: Unfortunately, some spouses attempt to hide assets during divorce proceedings to avoid fair financial settlements. A private investigator can uncover undisclosed bank accounts, property holdings, offshore funds, and hidden income streams.
- Verifying Financial Claims: If your ex-partner is claiming financial hardship or unemployment, investigators can gather evidence showing otherwise—perhaps confirming employment or lifestyle inconsistencies. Such proof can be vital in achieving a fair financial settlement.
- Child Welfare Concerns: If you have genuine concerns about your child’s safety or welfare with your former partner, private investigators can help document any harmful or negligent behaviour that could influence custody arrangements.
Using GPS Tracking During Divorce Investigations
GPS tracking devices are sometimes used legally by investigators—particularly if placed on jointly owned vehicles—to gather data on movements and lifestyle patterns. This information can support claims about cohabitation, undisclosed addresses, or hidden routines that might indicate financial deceit or potential risks to children.
For more information on our GPS tracking services, visit our GPS tracking page.
What if Your Ex-Spouse Has Hired an Investigator?
If you suspect your ex-partner has hired an investigator to monitor you, we offer professional counter-surveillance and bug-sweeping services. These services detect any tracking devices, hidden cameras, or other surveillance tools used against you. Counter-surveillance evidence can also support your case if your ex is acting maliciously or unethically during the divorce.
For more details, see our bug sweeping services.
How Much Surveillance or Investigation Is Needed?
Every case is unique, and the amount of surveillance or investigation needed will depend entirely on your situation. Some matters can be resolved swiftly with targeted evidence, while others require more in-depth investigation over weeks or months.
We provide tailored solutions based on your circumstances. Contacting us directly with details allows us to provide a realistic assessment of time, cost, and feasibility.
Is Hiring a Private Investigator Still Worthwhile?
While proving infidelity or wrongdoing alone no longer affects divorce outcomes directly, professional private investigators can still play a vital role in protecting your financial future and family welfare. By uncovering hidden assets, verifying cohabitation, or identifying potential risks to children, investigators provide actionable evidence that can significantly strengthen your position in negotiations or court proceedings.
If you believe that your divorce case might benefit from professional investigative support, contact Private Investigators UK today. We offer discreet, confidential, and fully lawful investigative services to help ensure you achieve the fairest possible settlement and secure peace of mind during your divorce.
For a no-obligation quote tailored to your specific needs, please get in touch.
What Powers Do UK Private Investigators Have?
May 2, 2022 - Reading time: 7 minutes
Updated on: April 7, 2025
As one of the UK's leading detective agencies, we regularly encounter misconceptions about the powers and services of private investigators. TV shows and films often portray our work dramatically, contributing to public misunderstandings about what we can legally and ethically achieve.
In this article, we aim to clarify exactly what UK private investigators can—and cannot—do, along with addressing frequently asked questions and popular myths surrounding our profession.
Can private investigators arrest people?
No. UK private investigators have no special authority to arrest people. Our rights and responsibilities are identical to those of any member of the public.
Do private investigators carry badges?
While some private investigators carry identification or company-issued badges to verify their professional status, this isn't legally required in the UK. However, reputable investigators usually provide some form of official identification if requested by a client or law enforcement.
Can private investigators hack into social media accounts?
No, this would be illegal. Private investigators must always adhere strictly to UK laws. Hacking into private data—including emails, social media accounts, or messaging services—is unlawful and unethical.
However, investigators regularly conduct OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence) investigations using publicly available information online. This can include analysing a person's digital footprint, identifying active dating profiles, uncovering hidden social media accounts, and gathering publicly accessible data to build a detailed picture of someone's activities.
Can private investigators follow people?
Yes, private investigators can legally follow and monitor individuals, provided it doesn't cross into harassment or trespass.
Surveillance is common for cases involving:
- Suspected infidelity or cheating partners
- Verification of personal injury claims
- Locating hidden assets in divorce proceedings
- Corporate investigations (e.g., workplace theft, fly-tipping)
Evidence obtained through surveillance can be crucial in court cases, civil disputes, and personal decision-making processes.
Can private investigators gather evidence?
Absolutely. One of our core roles as private investigators is gathering impartial and credible evidence. Whether for private individuals, solicitors, or businesses, evidence collected by investigators often helps secure favourable outcomes in court or facilitates important personal and business decisions.
The value of the evidence usually far exceeds the cost of obtaining it, providing both peace of mind and tangible results for clients.
Can private investigators install GPS trackers on cars?
Yes, private investigators in the UK commonly deploy GPS trackers, usually on vehicles owned or jointly owned by the client. Trackers provide 24-hour monitoring without the need for continuous active surveillance, allowing us to pinpoint ideal moments to obtain crucial evidence.
GPS trackers log location data accessible remotely via an online dashboard, enhancing the effectiveness of surveillance operations and potentially reducing investigative costs.
Can private investigators install bugs inside homes, cars, or workplaces?
While hidden recording devices such as microphones or cameras are available on the open market, UK private investigators must operate strictly within legal and ethical boundaries. Installing such devices without appropriate consent could breach privacy laws and result in criminal prosecution.
Instead, reputable investigators offer professional services to detect and remove illegal surveillance devices through specialised debugging or "bug sweeping."
Can private investigators detect hidden bugs in my home, car, or workplace?
Yes. We offer comprehensive bug-sweeping services, employing advanced detection equipment to identify hidden cameras, microphones, and tracking devices. Clients commonly request debugging services in cases involving domestic disputes, corporate espionage, or suspicions of unauthorised surveillance.
The risks associated with hidden devices justify the need for professional debugging, ensuring your privacy remains protected.
Can private investigators serve legal documents?
Yes. Many private investigators in the UK, including ourselves, offer professional process serving services. This involves formally delivering legal documents such as:
- Divorce papers
- Court summons
- Non-molestation orders
- Statutory demands, winding-up petitions, and bankruptcy petitions
Private investigators ensure efficient, legally compliant, and cost-effective service of documents.
Can private investigators access criminal records or confidential data?
No. Private investigators in the UK have no special legal authority or privileged access to sensitive personal data like criminal records. Such records are confidential and protected under data protection laws.
However, investigators are highly skilled at using OSINT methods to search public records, including court appearances and publicly reported criminal cases. If information exists publicly—such as court listings, public registers, or news reports—private investigators can lawfully and effectively use this data to uncover valuable insights.
Our expertise lies in the skilful application of specialist tools such as facial recognition software, advanced OSINT techniques, and comprehensive searches of public domain information. This allows us to build a thorough, legal, and ethical profile of a person's background and digital footprint.
Contact PrivateInvestigators-UK
For further information on the range of professional private investigation services offered by PrivateInvestigators-UK, please visit our homepage or get in touch for a confidential consultation.
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Do Private Investigators Work for Authorities in the UK?
April 27, 2022 - Reading time: 8 minutes
Updated on: April 7, 2025
As the name suggests, private investigators typically work for private individuals and businesses in the private sector. Private investigators are often called on to investigate infidelity, perform business due diligence, find missing people, serve documents, and in many other cases.
While private investigators are typically instructed by private individuals or firms, they have also been known to provide services for government bodies and entities such as local councils.
Because the private investigation industry is so large, and encompasses many different specialized skills, there have been many documented cases around the world where private investigators have provided assistance to police and government entities alike.
Do private investigators work with councils in the UK?
The short answer is “yes”. There are many different circumstances where local councils in the UK rely on private investigators to provide assistance, we will outline some of the most common cases below.
- Investigating benefit fraud
While many councils have inhouse investigators who deal with investigating benefit fraud, there are times when they might require specialised help, or just another set of hands. In some case private investigators are called on to help.
In straightforward cases which concern benefit fraud it may be necessary for a private investigator to conduct inquiries or surveillance in order to gather evidence which can be presented to the council for them to consider.
Cases which involve allegations of cohabitation, where a person claims to be living alone in order to receive single person discounts or help with their rent, may also be investigated using surveillance.
- Process serving
When councils need to serve documents on individuals or companies, it is often a cost-effective solution for them to outsource the task to a private investigator.
Many private investigators provide process serving, and cases can be referred directly by councils themselves or their solicitors. Many process serving cases also require an element of tracing in order to first locate the subject's current address.
- Investigating license breaches
Private investigators can help councils by checking that the terms of alcohol or tobacco licenses are being actively complied with… Cases which involve selling to the underage, selling out of hours, or even selling without a license altogether, can all be investigated by private investigators.
In cases which involve the investigation of license breaches, private investigators typically act as impartial third parties whilst gathering evidence.
- Fly tipping investigations
Fly tipping creates an unnecessary blight on our countryside, and with local authorities often tasked with clearing up the mess left behind by fly tippers, there is a clear motivation for them to catch and prosecute those responsible.
Private investigators can help by staking out areas which are prone to fly tipping during surveillance, or in some cases they might be aided by high-tech equipment such as unmanned camera gear or drones.
Evidence gathered by private investigators can be used to further investigate acts of fly tipping and to hold those responsible to account, thereby reducing the costly clean-up bills which are caused as a result of fly tippers.
- Personal injury claims
Private investigators are commonly used during personal injury claims in the UK, for a wide range of different reasons. One of the most useful functions of a private investigator during personal injury claims is to verify the legitimacy and truthfulness of claims surrounding injuries or illnesses.
If a subject claims to have trouble walking unaided, but is subsequently filmed by a private investigator playing football for example, then they may find their claims difficult to substantiate.
Claims which are made against councils are effectively made against the public purse, and private investigators play a key role in verifying claims in order to make sure that they are accurate and truthful.
- Background checks
While councils typically have human resources departments whom are responsible for vetting new hirees, private investigators can help to take background checks a step further. We can use a multitude of tools, resources, and knowledge to determine an individual's background and suitability for employment.
Private investigators can compile comprehensive background check reports which may include elements such as criminal (court appearance) checks, reputational checks, social media checks, reputation checks, and more.
- Internal staffing issues
Private investigators can also provide assistance when it comes to internal staffing issues, such as fraudulent sick leave, injury claims, internal thefts, moonlighting, and corruption.
We believe that independent third parties can bring tremendous value when it comes to dealing with internal staffing issues and dealing with problems in a way which is both impartial and fair.
By gathering the facts and presenting them in concise reports, investigators can help councils to understand and solve their staffing issues, and to compile evidence which justifies the dismissal of problem employees where necessary.
Do private investigators work for solicitors in the UK?
Yes. Solicitors often use private investigators to gather evidence which can be used by them in court to help win cases. Solicitors can also delegate tasks to private investigators such as process serving, tracing debtors, or other specialized services.
Such is the importance of private investigators to solicitors in the UK, that lawyer Kate McMahon went on record as saying that her law firm “uses private investigators for almost every case”. In an interview with the BBC [source], Ms McMahon described the importance of legally acquiring evidence through the instruction of capable private investigators.
Do private investigators work for police in the UK?
While private investigators often work for solicitors to gather evidence which might aid their cases, instances where private investigators are employed by police forces in the UK are less common.
However, this is not to say that the practice doesn’t happen altogether. In 2017 it was reported that Thames Valley Police, who were spurred on by budget cuts, had begun to recruit private investigators for straightforward tasks such as witness taking and interviewing subjects [source].
Private investigators and police investigators have a somewhat interchangeable skillset, and with many private investigators coming from former careers in law enforcement, it makes sense that a police force in the UK might look to delegate straightforward tasks to qualified private investigators.
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How Private Investigators Catch Cheating Partners
April 23, 2022 - Reading time: 6 minutes
Updated on: April 7, 2025
As one of the UK's leading private detective agencies, we offer a wide range of investigative services, including surveillance, background checks, process serving, and OSINT investigations. Yet, infidelity investigations—catching cheating partners—remain one of our most requested services.
Suspecting your partner of cheating is emotionally distressing and can profoundly impact your well-being. For those struggling with uncertainty, a professional private investigator can help uncover the truth and provide solid evidence.
In this article, we'll explore the most effective methods private investigators use to catch cheating partners.
1. Personal Surveillance
Surveillance is one of the most common and effective methods used by private investigators to confirm suspicions of infidelity. It involves discreetly observing a subject's activities and collecting photographic or video evidence of their behaviour.
Surveillance generally includes:
- Static Surveillance: Investigators monitor a specific location or property from a fixed position.
- Mobile Surveillance: Investigators actively follow the subject using adapted vehicles, motorcycles, public transport, or on foot to record their movements discreetly.
Static surveillance can often be carried out effectively by a single operative. However, mobile surveillance generally requires a team of two or more agents for optimal results. In some instances, clients may be reluctant to authorise multiple operatives due to budget constraints; nonetheless, it is important to understand that employing more than one operative significantly enhances the effectiveness and reliability of the surveillance.
Effective surveillance typically requires meticulous planning, ensuring agents remain unseen by the subject or bystanders. Depending on the complexity of the case, multiple investigators may work together, though budget constraints often mean cases involve a single agent. Even so, skilled investigators frequently achieve strong results working independently.
2. GPS Tracking Devices
Another powerful tool private investigators use in infidelity cases is GPS tracking. A discreetly placed GPS tracker allows investigators to monitor the movements of a subject’s vehicle, providing real-time data on their whereabouts.
GPS tracking devices can complement surveillance operations by identifying specific times and locations where the subject is likely to engage in suspicious behaviour. This targeted approach often reduces investigation costs. Additionally, GPS trackers can be used independently to confirm a partner's honesty about their activities.
For further information, see our article on GPS tracking in the UK or contact us for a free consultation.
3. Honeypot Investigations
Honeypot investigations involve an investigator proactively interacting with a subject as a "decoy" to test their fidelity. This method can confirm suspicions quickly and decisively.
Depending on the scenario, investigators may approach subjects in various environments, including:
- Pubs, bars, or nightclubs
- Through social media interactions
- During holidays or trips abroad
The decoy’s characteristics—such as gender, appearance, and age—are carefully selected based on the subject’s preferences and the specific context of the investigation.
4. OSINT Investigations (Open-Source Intelligence)
OSINT investigations involve analysing a person's digital footprint and online activity. Investigators use specialised techniques to gather publicly available online information that can reveal hidden behaviour, such as the use of dating sites, social media accounts, or other online activities indicating potential infidelity.
By conducting thorough OSINT checks, private investigators can uncover information such as:
- Profiles on dating websites or apps
- Hidden social media accounts or online identities
- Evidence of communication or interactions suggesting infidelity
OSINT is a powerful and discreet method of investigation, often providing rapid and cost-effective results.
Should You Hire a Private Investigator to Catch a Cheating Partner?
The decision to hire a private investigator is personal and depends on your circumstances. Many individuals struggle to cope with uncertainty and emotional stress caused by suspicions of cheating. Hiring a professional investigator allows you to regain control, obtain definitive answers, and make informed decisions about your relationship and future.
Our team conducts every investigation with complete confidentiality, discretion, and professionalism, offering peace of mind during challenging times.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Private Investigator?
Costs for private investigator services vary widely based on location, complexity, and methods used. Surveillance-based cases can differ significantly in duration and requirements, affecting overall fees.
For a detailed breakdown of costs associated with catching a cheating partner, please read our dedicated guide: How much does it cost to catch a cheating partner?
Signs That Your Partner Might Be Cheating
If you're concerned your partner may be unfaithful, watch for subtle behavioural changes that could indicate infidelity.
To learn more about identifying potential red flags, see our blog post on 10 Surprising Red Flags Your Partner is Cheating on You.
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