Law Firms: When To Hire Private Investigators?

Private investigators are often hired by law firms to strengthen their cases and better represent their clients. They can help lawyers focus on the legal aspects of a case by handling fieldwork, background checks, and fact-finding. PIs can also locate and identify witnesses, conduct surveillance, and gather evidence, including scene photos and witness statements. In addition, they can assist with cybersecurity issues, corporate investigations, and asset recovery. For these reasons, many law firms prefer to hire private investigators full-time or establish partnerships with private investigation companies.

Locating witnesses

Private investigators employ various methods to locate witnesses, including conducting surveillance, interviewing individuals, and accessing public records and specialised databases. They may also utilise advanced technologies such as GPS tracking and computer forensic tools to trace digital footprints and gather information about an individual's movements and activities.

When working on locating witnesses, private investigators collaborate closely with lawyers to understand their litigation strategy and determine the best course of action. They may also assist in other investigative tasks, such as gathering evidence, conducting background checks, and analysing information to support the overall case.

In addition to locating witnesses, private investigators can play a pivotal role in exposing inconsistencies in witness statements and developing new theories based on reports, photographs, and statements. Their investigative skills are particularly crucial in complex cases, such as white-collar crimes, where they can provide valuable insights and evidence to support the legal team's arguments.

Overall, hiring a private investigator to locate witnesses is a strategic decision that enables law firms to focus on the legal aspects of the case while benefiting from the investigator's expertise in research, surveillance, and information gathering. By working together, they can build a stronger case, increase their chances of success, and ultimately provide the best representation for their clients.

Surveillance

Private investigators use various surveillance techniques, including GPS tracking, hidden cameras, drones, and wiretapping, to discreetly monitor subjects and gather critical information. They may also employ electronic surveillance to track a target's movements, and they are well-versed in legal procedures to ensure that the evidence they collect is admissible in court.

By conducting surveillance, private investigators can locate individuals, assets, or information. For example, they can help find hidden assets, such as offshore bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, and valuable property, which is often crucial in lawsuits involving divorce, child support, or loan recovery. They can also locate witnesses, which is especially useful when a witness does not wish to be found.

Additionally, private investigators can provide surveillance services in criminal cases, fraud investigations, and personal injury claims. They can work on cases involving family law, employment law, trust litigation, corporate litigation, and civil law. Their skills in surveillance and investigation can help law firms build stronger cases, make informed decisions, and ultimately improve their chances of success.

Overall, private investigators play a pivotal role in legal cases by assisting lawyers in gathering evidence, conducting thorough investigations, and strengthening defence strategies. Their surveillance expertise is a valuable asset to law firms, allowing them to access information that might otherwise be difficult or time-consuming to obtain.

Background checks

Private investigators are trained professionals who can conduct thorough and accurate background checks. They have access to non-public records such as criminal records, driving records, employment history, credit history, and other information not available online or through public records. They can also perform surveillance, access a person's internet history with proper legal authorization, and conduct interviews with people who know the person being investigated.

When hiring a private investigator, it is important to ensure they are licensed and aware of the laws and legislation around what they can and cannot do. They should never break the law and must be registered with the Information Commissioner's Office to adhere to data protection laws.

Private investigators can offer customized packages tailored to the specific requirements of the hiring firm, ensuring that the firm only pays for the information it needs. They can also save businesses money by reducing the risk of hiring employees with a criminal history or history of fraudulent activity, which could lead to legal liability for the business.

Overall, hiring a private investigator for background checks can provide a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of an individual's background than relying solely on public records or online databases.

Locating assets

Law firms can conduct asset searches themselves, but it can be more cost-efficient to outsource this task to a private investigator. An experienced PI can help with financial investigations and finding stolen and hidden assets. They can run background checks, which may reveal that someone owns real estate, cars, or other assets that can be seized to satisfy a judgement.

Private investigators use programs and software to analyze information about prior insurance claims the subject may have filed, as well as any suspicious activity that comes up in the searches. They can also determine whether a spouse or business partner is being truthful about their income, assets, or debts.

Private investigators often work with law firms to provide asset searches, public information searches, and background checks. They can also act as expert witnesses in court, testifying about the results of their investigations.

Overall, hiring a private investigator can be a cost-effective way for law firms to locate assets and increase their chances of winning cases.

Cybersecurity

Law firms often hire private investigators to help them with a variety of tasks. Private investigators can provide many benefits to law firms, including improved efficiency, better client representation, and enhanced case outcomes. One of the primary reasons law firms hire private investigators is to gather evidence and conduct investigations. Private investigators are skilled in research and have the time and resources to access information that lawyers may not be able to obtain on their own. This allows lawyers to focus on the legal aspects of cases and offer their clients the best representation.

In cybersecurity matters, law firms may hire private investigators to assist with a range of issues. Private investigation firms often have cybersecurity expertise due to the nature of their work. They can help with imaging hardware that may have been compromised, assessing network security, and dealing with possible intrusions onto computer networks. Law firms may act as the point of contact between clients and private investigators in cybersecurity matters, ensuring a seamless collaboration.

Private investigators can also be useful in locating and identifying witnesses, especially those who may be elusive or uncooperative. They can find new witnesses that lawyers may not have considered, such as former employees in corporate misconduct cases. Additionally, private investigators can assist in asset investigations, which are crucial in lawsuits involving loan defaults, judgement recoveries, and hidden assets in divorce or alimony cases. They have the knowledge and tools to locate bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, and other valuable assets.

Furthermore, private investigators can contribute to criminal defense investigations, insurance fraud cases, corporate investigations, and family matters, including child custody and inheritance cases. Their skills in research and evidence collection can be invaluable in these situations. Many law firms prefer to hire private investigators full-time or establish partnerships with private investigation companies to ensure easy access to their expertise.

Frequently asked questions