People and debtor tracing
Address and contact enquiries using appropriate lawful sources, with the purpose and intended use established before work begins.
Private and commercial investigations
Discreet investigation support with a defined lawful purpose
Tracing, surveillance, fraud enquiries and factual investigation support for businesses, landlords, solicitors and private clients. Each proposed instruction is assessed for authority, purpose, scope and proportionality before it is accepted.
Confidential handling
Sensitive enquiries managed on a need-to-know basis.
Lawful-purpose review
Identity, authority and intended use considered at the outset.
Defined scope
Methods, deliverables and costs agreed before work begins.
Case-by-case coverage
UK coverage and operational availability confirmed for each matter.
Investigation support
Facts gathered for a clear, legitimate objective
UK Bailiffs works with its associate firm, DOLOS Investigations, where an enquiry is suitable. The aim is to help clients establish relevant facts—not to offer unrestricted access to someone else’s private life.
The appropriate method depends on the client’s authority, the information already available, the seriousness of the issue and the least intrusive way to meet the objective.
Important
No automatic acceptance
An initial discussion is confidential, but it does not mean the work has been accepted. We may request identification, supporting documents and further information, narrow the proposed scope or decline an instruction.
Investigation services
Private and commercial enquiries
Services are selected to match the facts and lawful purpose of the instruction. Availability is subject to an initial suitability assessment.
Surveillance and factual observations
Targeted, proportionate observations in circumstances where there is a legitimate purpose and an appropriate lawful method.
Employee misconduct enquiries
Evidence-led support for suspected misconduct, absence or conflicts, subject to the employer’s authority and employment-law considerations.
Tenancy, occupancy and subletting enquiries
Fact-finding for landlords, managing agents and housing providers investigating suspected unauthorised occupation or subletting.
Fraud and due-diligence enquiries
Open-source research, background enquiries and verification work to help assess inconsistencies, commercial risk or suspected fraud.
Asset and enforcement intelligence
Lawful information gathering to help a creditor or solicitor assess recovery options. Findings do not guarantee that assets are available or recoverable.
Our approach
Necessary, relevant and proportionate
The scope should be no wider than the legitimate objective requires. Information is gathered, recorded, shared and retained with regard to applicable data-protection and privacy obligations.
- Clear client identity and authority
- Documented objective and intended use
- Appropriate sources and methods
- Factual reporting with relevant limitations
- Secure handling and controlled disclosure
Firm boundaries
What we will not offer
- Hacking or unauthorised access to email, telephone, banking or online accounts
- Impersonation or deception to obtain protected personal information
- Unlawful entry, trespass, harassment or intimidating conduct
- Covert tracking without a clearly established lawful basis, authority and proportionate purpose
- Work intended to facilitate stalking, coercive control, revenge or other harm
- A guaranteed result or a promise that material will be admitted by a court
How it works
From initial enquiry to factual report
Confidential outline
Tell us what has happened, what you need to establish and any deadlines.
Suitability checks
We verify identity, authority, purpose and relevant supporting information.
Scope and quotation
The proposed method, limits, deliverables, timetable and costs are agreed.
Investigation
Approved enquiries are undertaken within the defined operational scope.
Reporting
Relevant findings, evidence and limitations are presented clearly and factually.
Prepare your enquiry
Information we may need
- Your full name, organisation and contact details
- The subject’s known identifiers and relevant history
- The precise fact or issue you need to establish
- Why you are entitled to request the work
- Existing documents, evidence and previous steps
- Deadlines, court dates and known safety concerns
Reports and evidence
Useful material, without overpromising
An investigation report may assist legal advice, internal decision-making or proceedings. It will distinguish relevant observations and findings from information that could not be confirmed.
The admissibility and weight of evidence are matters for the relevant court or tribunal. If litigation is contemplated, obtain legal advice early so the instruction and evidence-handling requirements are properly defined.
Associate-led delivery
Working with DOLOS Investigations
Suitable instructions may be delivered with DOLOS Investigations. The responsible provider, scope and reporting arrangements should be confirmed for the individual matter before work begins.
Private-investigation work is not presently one of the activities for which the Security Industry Authority issues a specific operative licence. For that reason, this page uses the accurate description “experienced investigators” rather than the potentially misleading phrase “licensed investigators”.
Privacy and data
Personal information needs a lawful basis
Before personal data is processed, the purpose and applicable lawful basis must be identified. The proposed handling must also be necessary and proportionate. Additional requirements can apply to special-category or criminal-offence data.
Read the UK Bailiffs privacy policy or review the ICO lawful-basis guidance.
Concerned about immediate danger, stalking or domestic abuse?
This is not an emergency service. Call 999 where there is an immediate risk. An investigation will not be accepted where the purpose, relationship or circumstances indicate a risk of harassment, coercive control, stalking or other harm.
Common questions
Private investigation FAQs
What can a private investigator legally do?
A private investigator can use lawful sources and methods to gather relevant facts for a legitimate purpose. They do not have police powers and cannot hack accounts, trespass, harass people or obtain protected information unlawfully.
Can you trace a person or debtor?
Potentially. The client’s identity, authority, purpose and intended use are assessed first. The information supplied and lawful sources available will affect the scope and prospect of success.
Can you investigate suspected employee misconduct?
Yes, where the employer has appropriate authority and the proposed work is necessary and proportionate. Employment-law and data-protection issues should be considered when defining the instruction.
Can an investigation report be used in court?
It may support legal advice or proceedings, but no investigator can guarantee admissibility or the weight a court will give the material. Seek legal advice where litigation is contemplated.
Are private investigators licensed by the SIA?
The SIA does not currently issue a specific operative licence for private-investigation activity. Other regulated security activities may require an SIA licence, but that is different from calling a private investigator “licensed”.
Are enquiries confidential?
Enquiries are handled sensitively and on a controlled basis. However, confidentiality is subject to legal, safeguarding and crime-prevention obligations, and an enquiry may be declined.
Confidential initial discussion
Tell us what you need to establish
Explain the issue, your relationship to the matter, the outcome you need and any deadline. Please do not send passwords, bank details or unnecessary sensitive information in an initial email.
Submitting an enquiry does not mean that an instruction has been accepted or that investigation work has begun.
Private Investigations by UK Bailiffs
At UK Bailiffs, we understand that private investigations require discretion, experience, and results. Whether you need help with matrimonial issues, fraud, employee misconduct, or background checks — our licensed investigators operate legally and discreetly across the UK.
What Makes Our Investigation Services Different?
- Expert Operatives: All investigations are conducted by trained professionals with a background in intelligence and enforcement.
- Total Confidentiality: We handle every case discreetly and ethically to protect your privacy and reputation.
- Full Range of Services: Surveillance, tracing, fraud investigations, due diligence, GPS tracking, and more.
- Legally Compliant: All evidence is gathered within UK legal guidelines — suitable for court use if required.
When Should You Use a Private Investigator?
Our clients typically contact us for help with suspicious employee behaviour, tenancy subletting, partner infidelity, or asset recovery. If something doesn’t feel right — you deserve to know the truth.
Private Investigation Contact
