Investigate the question that matters
A commercial concern can affect more than the immediate financial loss. It may influence a transaction, a key relationship or confidence in the information reaching the board. PDC supports businesses and their advisers with enquiries into suspected fraud, disputed accounts of events, business backgrounds and other matters requiring independent factual work.
The starting point is the business decision. Do you need to test a concern, establish a chronology, assess a counterparty or identify evidence for your legal team? Defining that question helps keep the work proportionate and prevents an investigation becoming an open-ended search.
A scope built around your organisation
We discuss the available evidence, the people authorised to instruct us and any relevant advice from your legal or HR team. Different concerns call for different methods. A records-based enquiry may be enough; another matter may require witness accounts, tracing or authorised digital examination. The method should follow the question and the available authority.
- Commercial fraud concerns and inconsistent representations.
- Background enquiries into prospective partners and key business relationships.
- Locating debtors or establishing identifiable asset interests.
- Collecting witness accounts and organising evidence for advisers.
What helps at the briefing stage
Prepare a short explanation of what happened and why it matters. Identify the documents you hold, any relevant locations and the deadline driving the enquiry. Nominate one main contact and explain who should receive updates. Sensitive internal matters benefit from clear instructions about access and communication from the beginning.
Separate direct observations from rumours. If a concern involves an employee, bring your HR or legal adviser into the scoping discussion. We do not assume that a suspicion justifies every possible method, or that information gathered for one purpose can automatically be used for another.
Evidence you can assess
Agree what the final output needs to contain before work begins: for example, a source-referenced report, a chronology, witness material or a summary of outstanding leads. We explain uncertainties and the limits of the enquiry. Commercial decisions, disciplinary findings and litigation strategy remain with you and your advisers.
A staged instruction can help control costs. Review the first findings, consider whether the original question has been answered, then decide whether another stage is justified. A clear stopping point is as important as a clear starting brief.
Questions you may have
Do you work with smaller businesses?
Yes. The scope should reflect the issue and budget, whether you are a sole trader, an owner-managed business or a larger organisation.
Can our solicitor direct the investigation?
Yes. We can discuss the brief with your nominated legal adviser. Your solicitor should advise on any confidentiality or privilege arrangements needed for the matter.
How is the cost controlled?
Agree the scope, expected output and budget before starting. Where appropriate, divide the work into stages and require a review before further enquiries are commissioned.