UK Wide Private Investigators | Confidential & Professional
📞 0330 043 3491
✉ contactus@imperialpi.org
These terms govern all investigation services provided by Imperial PI to both consumer and business clients.
"Imperial PI" refers to the private investigation agency trading as Imperial PI, with correspondence address at Lytchett House, 13 Freeland Park, Wareham Road, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6FA. Tel: 0330 043 3491. Email: [email protected].
"The Client" means the individual or organisation named in the signed Client Agreement or Consumer Engagement Form who has commissioned investigation services from Imperial PI.
Where the Client is a private individual acting outside the course of a business, trade, or profession, they are a "Consumer Client" and additional statutory protections apply, as noted throughout these Terms. Where the Client is acting in a business capacity, they are a "Business Client."
All investigation services will be carried out in accordance with the scope of work agreed in writing at the point of instruction. Any activity outside the agreed scope requires separate written authorisation before it is undertaken.
The Client warrants and declares that:
Should the investigation require activity beyond the agreed scope, Imperial PI will notify the Client and obtain written approval before proceeding. Additional charges will apply at the agreed rate structure.
Imperial PI operates three pricing structures. The structure applicable to each engagement is confirmed in the signed agreement.
| Structure | Rate | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly Rate | £50–£100/hr | Surveillance, monitoring, evidence gathering. 5-hour minimum booking applies. |
| Fixed Fee — Basic | £100–£400 | Background checks, tenant screening, debtor/witness tracing, process serving. Typically 24–72 hours. |
| Fixed Fee — Standard | £250–£800 | Cohabitation verification, missing persons, business partner checks, asset searches. Typically 3–10 working days. |
| Fixed Fee — Premium | £1,000–£2,500+ | Due diligence, corporate espionage, TSCM/bug sweeping, digital forensics, accident reconstruction. |
| Retainer | £1,000–£5,000/month | Ongoing corporate, legal, or insurance programmes requiring reserved capacity. |
All engagements require an upfront deposit before any investigative work begins:
The remaining balance is payable on case completion, or monthly in advance for retainer engagements.
There are no hidden fees. All material expenses are disclosed upfront. The following out-of-pocket costs may be recharged at actual cost: mileage (at HMRC approved rates); pre-authorised accommodation and travel; specialist equipment hire; database and tracing search fees; court and process serving fees; international travel (requires explicit prior written approval). Any single expense exceeding £150, or aggregate expenses exceeding £500, require prior written Client approval.
Invoices are payable within 14 calendar days of issue. Accepted methods: bank transfer (preferred), international bank transfer (GBP), or cash. All invoices are issued in GBP. International clients should remit the GBP amount specified to avoid exchange rate disputes; for extended investigations, exchange rates can be fixed at contract signing upon request. Overdue invoices attract interest at 8% per annum above the Bank of England base rate under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 where applicable.
Any dispute regarding an invoice must be raised in writing to [email protected] within 14 calendar days of the invoice date, specifying the item(s) in dispute and the grounds. Undisputed portions remain payable within standard terms. Failure to raise a dispute within 14 days constitutes acceptance of the invoice.
The Client agrees not to initiate a chargeback, payment reversal, or payment dispute with their bank or card provider in respect of services rendered under this agreement. Where Imperial PI has delivered services in accordance with the agreed scope, any such attempt constitutes a breach of contract. Imperial PI reserves the right to recover the full amount disputed plus reasonable administrative and legal costs, and to report the matter to the relevant authorities where fraud is suspected.
Imperial PI may, at its sole discretion, agree a staged payment plan. Any payment plan must be agreed in writing before work commences. Payment plans do not reduce the Client's liability for the full agreed fee; default on any scheduled payment entitles Imperial PI to suspend work and invoice the outstanding balance immediately.
Fees are payable for professional investigative time and expertise, not for any specific result. A finding of "no evidence" is a professionally valid and valuable outcome that provides certainty. Imperial PI will discuss realistic expectations prior to commencement and can adjust scope if initial findings warrant redirection.
Imperial PI acts as Data Controller (or Data Processor on behalf of the Client, as applicable) under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Imperial PI conducts all investigations in compliance with the Association of British Investigators (ABI) Code of Conduct for Investigative and Litigation Support Services, formally approved by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) in October 2024.
Personal data is processed on the basis of Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(f) UK GDPR) or Legal Obligation (Article 6(1)(c) UK GDPR), as appropriate to the nature of the engagement and confirmed in the signed agreement.
Imperial PI will:
Imperial PI undertakes to conduct all enquiries using lawful methods only. Imperial PI will not: trespass on private property without lawful authority; access any computer system or private communications without authorisation (Computer Misuse Act 1990; Investigatory Powers Act 2016); intercept any communication in transit (Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000); obtain information through deception in a manner constituting a criminal offence; engage in harassment (Protection from Harassment Act 1997); or breach the Human Rights Act 1998, in particular Articles 8 and 6.
All evidence is gathered to professional standards admissible in civil and criminal proceedings. Imperial PI provides detailed chain-of-custody documentation and can provide expert witness testimony if required. All evidence is date/time stamped and GPS located where applicable.
Imperial PI may engage vetted sub-contractors or partner investigators, including for cases requiring coverage in British Overseas Territories, Commonwealth jurisdictions, or other international locations. Imperial PI remains fully responsible for the conduct and output of any such sub-contractors, who are bound by the same confidentiality, legal compliance, and data protection obligations. The Client will be notified if sub-contractors are to be used on their case.
Imperial PI reserves the right to refuse or cease instructions at any time if, in professional judgement, proceeding would require unlawful conduct, would cause harm to a vulnerable person, or where the Client's true purpose appears inconsistent with their stated purpose.
Imperial PI will disclose to the Client in writing, as soon as reasonably practicable, any actual or potential conflict of interest — including any prior or existing relationship with the subject, or any circumstance that could affect objectivity. In the event of a material conflict that cannot be resolved, Imperial PI may withdraw from the engagement. Fees for work completed prior to withdrawal remain payable, and Imperial PI will provide reasonable assistance in transitioning the matter to another investigator if requested.
Imperial PI will endeavour to gather evidence in a manner likely to be admissible in civil or criminal proceedings. However, admissibility is ultimately a matter for the relevant court or tribunal, and Imperial PI accepts no liability for evidence ruled inadmissible.
Imperial PI holds Professional Indemnity Insurance and Public Liability Insurance. The current certificate of insurance is publicly available at imperialpi.org and will be provided directly to any Client on request.
Imperial PI's Professional Indemnity Insurance covers claims arising from negligent acts, errors, or omissions in the performance of professional services. It does not cover loss arising from the Client's own misuse of information, events outside Imperial PI's reasonable control, or claims made more than 6 years after services were provided.
Imperial PI will notify the Client in writing within 5 business days if any insurance policy is cancelled, lapses, or its coverage is materially reduced during the engagement.
Estimated timescales: basic database checks 24–72 hours; standard investigations 3–10 working days; surveillance cases 1–3 weeks; complex corporate or premium cases 4–12 weeks. Specific timelines are agreed at instruction and reviewed at each update.
Imperial PI commits to: keeping the Client reasonably and promptly informed of all material developments; responding to reasonable enquiries within 1 business day; providing sufficient information at each update for the Client to make informed decisions on scope and expenditure; notifying the Client promptly of any unforeseen circumstance affecting cost or outcome; and providing direct access to the lead investigator, not solely administrative staff.
On conclusion of the agreed scope of work, Imperial PI will deliver: a comprehensive written report with timestamped observations and professional conclusions; date/time-stamped and GPS-located photographic and/or video evidence where applicable; GPS tracking data where applicable; witness statements where obtained; and chain-of-custody documentation to court-admissible standards. Evidence is delivered via encrypted USB drive or secure Zoho Workdrive cloud storage.
All reports, photographs, footage, and evidential material become the property of the Client upon full payment of all outstanding fees and disbursements. Prior to full payment, all such material remains the property of Imperial PI.
Where Imperial PI is required to attend court or provide expert witness testimony in connection with evidence gathered under this agreement, separate charges apply for: expert witness report preparation; court or tribunal attendance; meetings with legal counsel; and associated travel and accommodation. These services are undertaken only upon separate written instruction and all court attendance fees are payable in advance of the hearing date.
The Client must not participate in or accompany any fieldwork. Client involvement risks recognition by the subject, emotional interference, legal liability, and contamination of evidence. The Client's role is to provide background information and review evidence. Regular updates will be provided throughout.
Both parties agree to keep the existence and content of this agreement, the investigation, and its findings strictly confidential, except where disclosure is required by law or court order, instructed by the Client for legal proceedings, or required by a regulatory authority.
Imperial PI can enter into a separate Non-Disclosure Agreement for sensitive corporate matters upon request.
The Client agrees not to disclose the identity of Imperial PI or any of its investigators to any media outlet or on any public or social media platform without prior written consent.
Imperial PI's total liability to the Client in respect of any claim arising under or in connection with this agreement shall not exceed the total fees paid by the Client under this agreement.
Imperial PI shall not be liable for: loss of profit, loss of business, loss of anticipated savings, reputational damage, or any indirect or consequential loss of any nature.
The Client agrees to indemnify Imperial PI against any claims, costs, damages, or proceedings brought by any third party as a result of: the Client's misuse of information provided; any false representation made by the Client; or the Client's breach of any term of this agreement.
The Client may cancel at any time by giving written notice. Upon cancellation: all work completed to the cancellation date will be invoiced at the applicable rate; non-refundable disbursements already incurred will be charged in full; where a fixed fee was agreed, a fair proportion based on work completed shall be payable.
Imperial PI may terminate immediately on written notice if: the Client breaches any material term of this agreement; Imperial PI forms a reasonable belief that proceeding would be unlawful or harmful; or the Client fails to make payment when due. Fees for work completed remain payable in all cases.
Complaints should be raised in writing to [email protected] or by post to: Lytchett House, 13 Freeland Park, Wareham Road, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6FA. Imperial PI will acknowledge within 5 business days and provide a full written response within 28 days.
If a complaint cannot be resolved between the parties, both agree to attempt resolution through a mutually agreed mediator before commencing formal legal proceedings.
These Terms and all engagements under them are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Both parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
Imperial PI operates in the UK, all British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, and the following jurisdictions:
Evidence gathered by Imperial PI in the United Kingdom will generally be valid in these jurisdictions, subject to local evidential requirements which will be disclosed as applicable. Imperial PI can liaise directly with local lawyers, insurers, or corporate legal departments. All invoices are issued in GBP; for extended investigations, exchange rates can be fixed at contract signing on request.
These Terms, together with the signed Client Agreement or Consumer Engagement Form and any attached schedules, constitute the entire agreement between Imperial PI and the Client in relation to the engagement. They supersede all prior discussions, negotiations, representations, and agreements (whether oral or written) between the parties. Each party acknowledges that in entering into this agreement it has not relied on any representation not expressly set out herein.
If any provision of these Terms is found by any court or competent authority to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, that provision shall be deemed severed. The remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The parties shall use reasonable endeavours to agree a lawful replacement provision that achieves the same commercial effect.
Electronic and digital signatures are treated as legally valid and binding to the same extent as handwritten signatures, in accordance with the Electronic Communications Act 2000 and applicable UK-retained eIDAS principles. Agreements may be executed in counterparts, including by email or digital signature platform; scanned or electronically transmitted copies are treated as equivalent to originals.
No variation or amendment to these Terms or any engagement agreement shall be effective unless agreed in writing and signed by authorised representatives of both parties.
No failure or delay by either party in exercising any right or remedy under these Terms shall constitute a waiver of that right or remedy. A waiver of any breach shall not constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach.