When a situation affects your family, finances or peace of mind, clear information helps you decide what to do next.
You may be trying to reconnect with someone, understand a financial concern, clarify a sensitive relationship issue or protect your privacy. It can be difficult to know which information to trust or whether an investigation is the right step.
A first conversation should establish your objective, what you already know and how you hope to use the information. PDC can discuss an appropriate scope, the likely limitations and the costs of professional enquiries. You do not need to arrive with a complete case file.
Our private-client work includes sensitive and complex matters as well as straightforward consumer enquiries. You can also use the free resources to make a useful start yourself, then ask for a basic pointer if you reach a dead end.
Establish what can be verified about property, business interests and other assets before deciding your next step in a dispute, recovery matter or private financial concern.
Explore the serviceUnderstand what happened, preserve the material you already hold and assess the enquiries that could help clarify a suspected fraud or scam.
Explore the serviceIndependent background enquiries to help you assess a prospective partner, business or key relationship before making a significant commitment.
Explore the serviceFocused checks when you need to understand someone's stated background before a significant personal, household or business decision.
Explore the serviceHelp with locating someone for a legitimate purpose, from reconnecting with a former contact to finding a person relevant to a legal matter.
Explore the serviceTracing enquiries for unpaid accounts and legal matters when an individual or business has moved or the contact information you hold no longer works.
Explore the servicePractical support for solicitors, businesses and private clients who need legal documents served and the steps taken properly recorded.
Explore the serviceCareful interviewing and accurate recording of witness accounts for business matters and investigations, with your legal adviser's requirements in view.
Explore the serviceAssess whether a carefully scoped observation enquiry could answer a legitimate factual question in a business, legal or private matter.
Explore the serviceTechnical and physical inspections for homes, business premises and vehicles where there is a specific concern about unauthorised monitoring.
Explore the serviceAuthorised examination of phones, computers and other digital media to assess what relevant information is available and what it can reliably establish.
Explore the serviceDiscreet, practical help when a personal or family matter leaves you needing clearer facts before deciding what to do next.
Explore the serviceA considerate conversation about relationship uncertainty, the factual questions that matter and whether an investigation would help you make a decision.
Explore the serviceInvestigative assistance for individuals, businesses and solicitors who need specific evidence or factual questions examined in a criminal matter.
Explore the serviceAssess whether authorised vehicle tracking is an appropriate and proportionate way to answer a specific business or investigative question.
Explore the serviceUnderstand what a polygraph measures, the questions to ask an examiner and why a result should never be treated as conclusive proof.
Explore the servicePractical guidance and an assessment of whether independent factual enquiries could help with concerns about a loved one's care.
Explore the serviceAssess what a lawfully available phone or connected device may reveal, preserve relevant material and understand the practical limits before commissioning an examination.
Explore the serviceA practical way to narrow a search, check the original source and keep track of what you have actually established.
Read the guideUnderstand directory records, recognise their limits and avoid spending money on searches that cannot answer your question.
Read the guideA birthday shown on Facebook can be a useful clue, but visibility, identity and accuracy all need careful thought.
Read the guideTell us what you need to establish and what you have already tried. We can discuss a basic pointer or the scope of professional support.
