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Terms, Conditions & Pricing

P&D INVESTIGATIONS LIMITED – STANDARD TERMS & CONDITIONS (UK)

P&D INVESTIGATIONS LIMITED – STANDARD TERMS & CONDITIONS (UK)

 

1. Definitions

  • “Agency” means [P&D Investigations Limited].

  • “Client” means the person or organisation instructing P&D Investigations Limited.

  • “Assignment” means the investigative work agreed between the parties.

 

2. Scope of Services

P&D Investigations Limited agrees to provide investigative services including but not limited to:

  • Surveillance

  • Background checks

  • Process serving

  • Fraud investigations

  • Matrimonial investigations

  • Corporate investigations

  • Tracing persons/debtors

  • Digital investigations

All work will be conducted lawfully and in accordance with UK legislation.

 

3. Compliance With Law

P&D Investigations Limited operates in accordance with:

  • UK GDPR

  • Data Protection Act 2018

  • Human Rights Act 1998

  • Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (where applicable)

  • Investigatory Powers Act 2016

  • Protection from Harassment Act 1997

 

P&D Investigations Limited will not undertake unlawful activities including:

  • Phone hacking

  • Unlawful access to data

  • GPS tracking without lawful basis

  • Impersonation of police/public authorities

  • Illegal surveillance

 

4. Client Responsibilities

The Client warrants that:

  • Information provided is accurate to the best of their knowledge.

  • They have a legitimate interest in the investigation.

  • Instructions are lawful.

The Client agrees not to use any information obtained unlawfully or maliciously.

 

5. Fees and Payment

5.1 Hourly Charges - Work is charged at the rates set out in the current Pricing Schedule.

5.2 Deposit - P&D Investigations Limited may require a Security Deposit before work commences.

5.3 Expenses

Additional expenses may include:

  • Mileage

  • Parking

  • Hotels

  • Public transport

  • Database fees

  • Court fees

  • Specialist equipment

 

5.4 Late Payments - Invoices are payable within 30 days unless otherwise agreed.
Late payments may incur:

  • Statutory interest under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts legislation

  • Debt recovery costs

 

6. Confidentiality

All client information is treated as confidential unless disclosure is required by law.

The Client agrees not to disclose investigative methods, reports or operative identities.

 

7. Data Protection

Personal data will be processed in accordance with UK GDPR.
Data may be retained only as long as necessary for legal and operational purposes.

 

8. Reporting & Evidence

P&D Investigations Limited will provide findings in written, photographic, video, or verbal format where appropriate.

P&D Investigations Limited cannot guarantee:

  • A specific outcome

  • Court acceptance of evidence

  • Location of subjects

  • Recovery of losses

 

9. Surveillance Limitations

Surveillance is subject to:

  • Weather

  • Traffic

  • Counter-surveillance

  • Subject behaviour

  • Operational risks

Continuous coverage cannot be guaranteed unless specifically contracted.

 

10. Cancellation

Assignments cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice may incur:

  • A minimum cancellation fee of 50% to 100% of the funds in place

  • Non-refundable expenses already incurred

 

11. Liability

P&D Investigations Limited liability is limited to the amount paid for services.
P&D Investigations Limited is not liable for:

  • Indirect losses

  • Consequential damages

  • Actions taken by the Client based on findings

 

12. Court Attendance

Court attendance by investigators is charged separately at the applicable hourly/day rate.

 

13. Intellectual Property

Reports, photographs, and evidence remain the property P&D Investigations Limited until all invoices are paid in full.

 

These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

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PRICING

 

P&D Investigations Limited Pricing Schedule (2026)

Surveillance 

Service              Typical Rate (subject to the task)

Single operative surveillance -  Between £55–£95 per hour

Two operative surveillance -  Between £110–£180 per hour

Minimum booking   Minimum of of 6 (six) man hours per operative

Mileage   

Item    Rate

Vehicle mileage  Between £0.55–£0.75 per mile

Congestion/parking/tolls   At cost

 

Process Serving

Service  Typical Rate

Standard Serve = Between £95–£200

Same-day / Urgent serve = Between £175–£350

Statement of Truth / Affidavit  = Between £10–£55 plus Oath Fees (if applicable)

 

Background Checks

Service   Typical Rate

Basic individual check = Between £95–£250 (subject to initial information supplied)

Corporate investigation = Between £250–£1,500+ (subject to initial information supplied)

Tracing Services 

Service  Typical Rate

Person Trace  £75–£250

Debtor trace  £95–£350

Corporate Investigations

Service  Typical Rate

Employee investigation = £500 to £2,000+

Fraud investigation = Custom quote

 

Digital & Online Investigations

Service  Typical Rate

Social media investigation = £150 to £750

Online reputation investigation = £250–£2,000

Court Attendance

Service  Typical Rate

Investigator court attendance  £450–£1,200 per day

 

NOTE;  ALL other Services, will be quoted upon client request.

Important Notices

 

  • Minimum surveillance hours MAY be adjusted depending on the type of Surveillance Project

  • Weekends / public holidays, MAY be subject to an increase of hourly rates

  • Operative overnight allowance, will be subject to a separate quote / fees

  • Fuel surcharge policy may be applied, depending on exceptional market changes

  • P&D Investigations is VAT Registered, and will be charged at the current rate of 20%

  • Evidence handling policy, will be discussed with the client, if required

  • ALL agreed Secirity Deposits are Non-Refundable

  • Anti-Money Laundering (AML) / Global AML compliance regulations must be considered.

  • Media/non-disclosure clause, can be agreed before the start of any Project, if relevant.

  • A Subcontractor clause can be agreed, if necessary.

 

ADDENDUM

 

  • Our Code of Conduct & Privacy Policy at https://www.johnbateman.co.uk/privacy-policy

  • We hold FULL Professional Indemnity & Public liability insurance

  • We hold an ICO registration No ZA086749

  • Our VAT Reg No is 657 7329 95

  • Limited Cmpany No is 04624077

Our Story / Captain's Log

The Managing Director, John BATEMAN (mipi), was lucky enough to travel the world with his first Career, as a Navigating Officer in the British Merchant Navy (best in the world!) & then he joined a UK Police Force, with a similarly dynamic and exciting profession, before a serious health problem caused early Retirement.

Whilst pondering life and any existence, an ex-police colleague Roger P, soon grabbed John and asked him to work for his Detective Agency.  Together they also formed a third Limited Company, so as to solve some specific problems of dishonesty and losses at a very large UK brewery, along with many other Projects, within each of their own thriving Private Investigation Agencies!

 

Roger & his Company Retired but P&D Investigations Limited has been ‘sailing on’ (sorry for the pun) since 1994.  John's health battle continues but he still ‘runs the ship’ (apologies) along with Managing all the Inquiries AND his Staff / Crew!

 

John is very proud of being a Full Member of the Institute of Professional Investigator (IPI), along with being a long standing Board Member of the IPI, which brings its own challenges.  He is especially keen in trying to remove the Rogue Traders, who are giving the industry a bad name with their underhand and dishonest tactics as well as charging (often private client’s) utterly exorbitant fees for supposed work done (or not done!) or charging 10 times or more, the going rate for a Project!!

 

Thank you for reading this 'Captains Log' (last one, promise) and John’s Agency never stops getting Projects of all types of shape, size and challenges!

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