You do not need to know which service to ask for
Many people contact PDC with a concern rather than a ready-made investigation brief. You may be unsure about a relationship, worried about a financial matter or trying to reconnect with someone. You may already have a solicitor and need a particular factual question explored. The first step is to explain the situation in your own words.
We listen to what has happened, what you know and what you hope to understand. That conversation helps distinguish a question an investigator may be able to answer from one better addressed through advice, a formal complaint or a simple check you can make yourself. There is no obligation to commission work.
Support for personal and family matters
PDC's existing services cover a range of private concerns. The appropriate combination depends on your purpose, the information available and whether professional advisers are already involved. A larger budget does not remove the need for a precise, proportionate brief.
- Asset enquiries linked to a financial dispute or questions being considered with a solicitor.
- Background enquiries where important claims need checking.
- People tracing for a legitimate reconnection or legal purpose.
- Relationship concerns, suspected scams and authorised digital enquiries.
- Technical privacy assessments for a home or other relevant premises.
Prepare for a useful conversation
Write a short timeline and identify the question you most need answered. Note what you have personally observed and what has been reported by someone else. Explain any approaching deadline and whether the result is intended for personal understanding or a legal matter.
For the first message, a brief outline and a safe way to contact you are enough. Avoid including third-party identity documents, intimate material or account credentials. Relevant documents can be discussed once the purpose and appropriate sharing arrangements are clear.
Keep control of the decision
If further work looks useful, agree the objective, proposed scope, likely limitations and cost before it begins. Decide who may receive updates and how you want to be contacted. Where the matter affects litigation, finances or family arrangements, your solicitor can help identify which facts would make a practical difference.
An investigation may confirm a concern, challenge it or leave uncertainty. It cannot promise emotional closure or make personal decisions for you. Our free resources offer a way to explore sensible first steps; if those do not resolve the issue, a focused professional enquiry may be the next option.
Questions you may have
Do I need evidence before contacting you?
No. Start with a factual outline of the concern and what led to it. We can assess whether there is a useful question to investigate or a simpler starting point.
Can a family office or solicitor make the enquiry?
Yes. Tell us who is authorised to instruct and receive information so responsibilities and communication can be agreed from the outset.
What if I only want some basic pointers?
That is welcome. Use the free guides or send a brief question. If a straightforward step may help you without commissioning an investigation, we will explain it.