3 min read•PDC information

1. Describe the decision you need to make

Start with the question behind your enquiry. You may need to decide whether to pursue a debt, proceed with a business relationship, ask a solicitor to act or investigate an unexplained event. Knowing that decision helps keep the enquiry proportionate.

You do not need to arrive with a finished case file. A short chronology, the names or companies involved and any important deadline provide a useful starting point. If you are uncertain about the right service, explain the situation rather than trying to choose a technical label.

2. Check whether PDC can help

The initial discussion should establish the purpose of the enquiry, the information available and any legal, practical or safety concerns. Sometimes a free resource, an official record or a different professional is the better next step.

The free guides and preparation tools can help you organise what you already know and identify the gaps. You can use them before deciding whether to commission an investigator.

3. Agree a focused first stage

Before paid work begins, the written scope should make clear what question is being investigated and how success will be assessed. A staged enquiry can avoid spending heavily on a lead that does not justify further work.

  • The objective, relevant people or entities and geographical scope.
  • The work included and significant exclusions.
  • The fee structure, expenses, payment arrangements and any spending limit.
  • Expected timing, dependencies and the process for agreeing changes.
  • Who may instruct PDC, receive updates and access the report.

4. Keep the work under review

An investigation may reveal new questions or show that a promising lead is unreliable. Ask how updates will be provided and when you will have an opportunity to decide whether to continue. A change in direction should not be confused with permission for open-ended additional work.

If a solicitor is involved, agree whether they should receive findings first. For a business, nominate someone with authority to approve any scope or budget change so that operational staff are not left to make that decision informally.

5. Understand the findings and their limits

A useful report distinguishes what was observed or verified from an inference, unresolved question or limitation. The origin and date of information matter. A possible match is not the same as a confirmed identity; an asset connection is not the same as recoverable value.

Review the findings against the original decision. Your next step may be to stop, seek legal advice or agree further enquiries. Keep the report and supporting material in an appropriate place and agree how you can obtain further copies if needed.

Questions you may have

Can we begin with a small piece of work?

Ask for a defined first stage around the question that matters most. Its suitability will depend on the case and the information available.

What if my priorities change?

Tell PDC promptly and ask for the revised scope, timing and cost to be confirmed before additional work is authorised.

Is a result guaranteed?

No. The agreement should define the work and reporting, while explaining limits and uncertainties. An investigation may establish that available information cannot answer the question.