How Private Investigators Help Solicitors

June 28, 2021 - Reading time: 8 minutes

Private investigators can be hired by members of the public under many different circumstances, from investigating cheating partners to catching fly tippers. However, private investigators also work for law firms and receive instructions from solicitors in many cases. 

Such is the usefulness of private investigators to law firms, that some solicitors in the UK rely on PIs in every single case they handle [source]. In this article we are going to explore some of the most common reasons that a solicitor might seek help from a private investigator.

1. Injury claim investigations

Injury claim investigations are one of the most useful situations where a private investigator can help to gather information on behalf of a solicitor. Let’s say that a person is making a personal injury claim after an accident, and claiming that they are unable to walk unaided. If that same person is photographed by a private investigator playing football, then their claims will be substantially weakened… In cases where the claimant is faced with overwhelming evidence, they may decide to drop their case altogether.

Personal injury claims are one of the most cost effective and productive uses for private investigators within the legal sector.

2. Process serving

When solicitors have acquired documents or notices which they need to be served, they will often seek help from a private investigator acting as a process server. As part of process serving a detective may be asked to serve notices on individuals, companies, or properties.

In the UK, we are often asked to serve winding up petitions, divorce paperwork, statutory demands, bankruptcy petitions, license applications, prohibition orders, and more.

Solicitors typically rely on detective agencies for process serving in order to ensure that the documents are served quickly and by a trusted, independent third party.

3. Divorce cases

We often hear of high-profile divorce cases in the media which concern millions of pounds in some cases. When marriage breaks down between average people, stakes may not reach seven figures but are often relatively high and concerning significant sums of money.

The average divorce in the UK costs £14,561 in legal and lifestyle fees… If the divorce also involves property, then the stakes can be raised considerably higher. [Source]

In cases where one partner is suspected of having an affair or cheating on their partner, then it is easy to understand how a private investigator could help a solicitor by gathering clear evidence of infidelity taking place. 

Having clear evidence that your partner is cheating on you whilst negotiating a divorce settlement can really help your solicitor to tip the odds in your favour. 

4. Finding people 

There are numerous circumstances when a solicitor might seek help from a private investigator in order to find someone. More commonly, investigators will be instructed to help track down and locate debtors, so that they can begin proceedings in the courts to recover money from them.

Using public record searches, social engineering, and other investigative techniques, private investigators are often called upon by solicitors to help track down and locate people.

5. Interviewing subjects

When solicitors need to interview people and gather information, they will often delegate the task to an impartial third party such as a private investigator. 

There are of course many circumstances where a private investigator might need to gather evidence by interviewing people, such as for accident or injury claims, or gathering character witnesses. Private investigators are able to help in such cases, and as our fees are typically lower than that of a qualified solicitor, we are often able to help our clients save money in so doing. 

6. Lie detector tests

Lie detector tests, or “polygraph tests” as they are formally known, are becoming increasingly common in the UK. Whilst they cannot usually act as evidence in their own right in civil courts and tribunals, polygraph tests can sometimes be used to add weight to the evidence presented by either side.

Polygraph tests can also be used by members of the public to help in settling allegations and family disputes. Conducting polygraph tests is a specialised practice which is often conducted by skilled private investigators.  

7. Finding assets

There are many cases when a person may take steps to conceal their true wealth and to hide assets. Private investigators are often called on by solicitors to investigate and help to locate these hidden assets, which can help to paint a more accurate picture about the subject’s income and overall net worth. 

8. Intellectual property investigations

Intellectual property theft is a growing problem in the UK and around the world, with many unscrupulous traders seeking to profit by selling goods which carry the trademarks of well-known brands.

Intellectual property is often the most valuable asset which is held by any given company, and private investigators can help to work under the instruction of solicitors to locate cases of intellectual property being stolen or used without permission from the rights holders.

 Intellectual property investigations can typically help solicitors to litigate or reach settlements in their clients’ favour. 

9. Social media investigations

Most of us use multiple different social media platforms on a daily basis, and with more and more people deciding to share an increasing amount of information about themselves through social media websites and apps; it’s easy to see how private investigators are able to gather all manner of different information on behalf of solicitors through social media investigations.

Investigations which are centered on social media can help solicitors to gather evidence and build up character information on key individuals.

10. Vetting employees or business partners

Conducting due diligence when hiring new employees or deciding to go into business is always a very wise endeavour and can help our clients to avoid making costly mistakes in many cases. Performing background checks on individuals and companies prior to business agreements being reached can also help to protect the reputation of yourself and your business.

Carrying out background checks is another task which is commonly outsourced to private investigators by solicitors.

PrivateInvestigators-UK

So there you have it, these are some of the most common reasons that a solicitor based in the UK might decide to hire a private investigator. PrivateInvestigators-UK are a leading detective agency covering all areas of the UK and many other countries around the globe. Please see our homepage for more information about us and the different services that we offer, or click through our blog to read our related articles.

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