Matrimonial and corporate investigations, people tracing, due diligence and process serving. Established in 1962, run from Manchester, working across the UK. A straight answer on the first call and a written quote before any work starts.
Services
Every instruction starts with a free conversation and a written quote. The team is picked for the case.
Discreet surveillance and evidence gathering for suspected infidelity, cohabitation checks and divorce proceedings.
Fraud, theft, employee misconduct and litigation support for businesses and their solicitors.
Current addresses for debtors, former tenants, witnesses and lost relatives, confirmed from independent sources.
Background checks on business partners, investments, tenants and employees before you commit.
Personal service of court documents anywhere in the UK or abroad, with a certificate of service.
Tell us what has happened. We will say whether it is lawful, worth paying for, and what it would cost.
Process
Most instructions follow the same four stages. Only the length of the third one varies.
One conversation, free. We say whether what you want is lawful, whether it is worth paying for, and roughly what it would cost.
Hourly or fixed, with the minimum block, what is included and what happens if the job runs over. Nothing starts until you confirm it.
Surveillance, tracing, enquiries or service of documents, by the investigator named on the quote. Updates at the points agreed.
A time-stamped log, footage or photographs where lawfully obtained, and a statement from the operative if a court will need one.
Locations
Local operatives in the cities below for surveillance and enquiries. Tracing and background work is desk-based and does not depend on where you are.
Clients
“Peter Taylor and his team at Private Detective London provided outstanding matrimonial investigation services during my divorce proceedings. Their surveillance work was meticulous, gathering crucial evidence of my spouse's infidelity with complete discretion. The detailed reports and photographic evidence were court-ready and instrumental in securing a favorable settlement. I cannot recommend their professional private detective services highly enough.”
Matrimonial InvestigationMarch 2025Name withheld
Guides
What investigators can and cannot do, what it costs, and how cases actually run.
Guide12 Nov 2025
Complete guide to hiring a private detective UK. What does a private investigator do? Are private investigators legal? Benefits of hiring a private investigator, private investigator cost, and how to find a private investigator near me explained.
16 min read
Corporate3 Nov 2025
12 min read
Security3 Nov 2025
14 min read
Security22 Oct 2025
15 min read
Digital Investigation16 Oct 2025
12 min read
Guide6 Oct 2025
10 min read
Services Guide6 Oct 2025
12 min read
Legal22 Sept 2025
10 min read
Ethics22 Sept 2025
9 min read
Contact
The first conversation is free and confidential. We will tell you whether what you need is lawful, whether it is worth paying for, and what it would cost, before you commit to anything.
Questions
Straight answers on cost, legality and what to expect.
Something else? Call 0845 862 62 62