As a junior lawyer, you’ll soon realise how much your cases depend on the people working behind the scenes. Investigators and process servers may not always be visible in the courtroom, but their importance is undeniable: locating elusive witnesses, serving urgent court papers, uncovering hidden assets, and gathering the evidence that underpins your arguments.
Working with these professionals requires clarity, trust, and mutual respect. Get it right, and you’ll save your firm time, money, and stress while building a reputation as someone who is reliable and effective. Get it wrong, and you may find deadlines missed, evidence rejected, or client trust undermined.
To help you avoid the pitfalls and develop good habits early in your career, here are 10 detailed tips for working with investigators and process servers.
- Give Clear, Detailed Instructions
A solid brief is the foundation of any task. Always provide complete case details: court name, claim number, parties involved, and any reference number. For the subject, include as many identifiers as possible – full name, previous addresses, date of birth.
For process serving, specify exactly what needs serving (and include the documents). For investigations, explain the purpose of the task – for instance, is tracing a debtor about recovering money, or establishing contact for negotiations? Add deadlines, preferred service methods, and your own contact details.
Small errors matter. A missing address can waste valuable time, and an incorrectly served document could invalidate proceedings altogether. Think of your instructions as a checklist: the clearer they are, the smoother the process.
- Set Realistic Timelines and Budgets
While urgency is common in legal work, some tasks take longer than you expect. Tracing a person who has gone off the grid, or serving evasive defendants, can take days or even weeks. International service adds extra layers of complexity.
Be upfront with your investigations partner about deadlines and budget. For example, claims forms under the Civil Procedure Rules must often be served within four months of issue – meaning you must plan around that timeframe. Similarly, surveillance or repeated service attempts can quickly increase costs.
Having an open discussion about budget and timescale early prevents unwelcome surprises, last-minute panics, or awkward conversations with your supervising partner.
- Respect Confidentiality
Investigators and servers will handle some of your clients’ most sensitive data: financial information, personal identifiers, and sometimes confidential company information. Protecting this is a legal obligation under GDPR and the Data Protection Act.
Always use secure channels for sharing documents, mark communications as confidential, and avoid passing sensitive data around unnecessarily. Remember: a single data breach could damage your client’s case and your firm’s reputation. Treat your provider as a confidential partner and expect the same in return.
- Use Reputable, Accredited Providers
The investigations and process-serving industry isn’t formally regulated, which means anyone could, in theory, call themselves a “professional investigator.” That’s why accreditation matters. Look for providers who are members of the Association of British Investigators (ABI).
These firms are bound by ethical codes, insured, and regularly vetted – so you can be confident you’re dealing with professionals. By contrast, using an unaccredited provider risks delays, errors, or even unethical shortcuts like “sewer service” (fake service).
A slightly higher fee for a trusted professional is a small price to pay compared to the cost of losing a case because evidence wasn’t obtained correctly.
- Leverage Their Expertise
Investigators are more than just a pair of boots on the ground – they’re problem-solvers with specialist knowledge. They may suggest alternative service addresses, identify inconsistencies in witness accounts, or provide background checks that reveal hidden assets.
Their evidence can also be invaluable in court. For example, an investigator can explain how surveillance footage was obtained, adding credibility to your argument.
Think of them as an extension of your legal team. Don’t just give instructions and wait – ask for their input, especially when cases become complex. Their fresh perspective can highlight opportunities you hadn’t considered.
- Communicate and Follow Up Promptly
Investigators often work in fast-moving situations. If they call you with a question – “Is this the right John Smith?” or “Do you have another address we can try?” – a slow response could waste a window of opportunity.
Equally, ask them to update you on any issues: failed attempts, unexpected costs, or new leads. A short phone call or quick email exchange can prevent bigger problems later.
Good communication is what keeps the legal and investigative sides aligned. You’ll also find that being responsive builds mutual respect.
- Insist on Proof of Completion
In law, paperwork is everything. For process serving, you should always request a signed certificate of service that records exactly who was served, when, where, and how. For tracing or investigations, ask for reports with time-stamped evidence such as photos, screenshots, or logs.
This isn’t about bureaucracy, it’s about protecting your case. If service is challenged in court, or if you need to prove due diligence, those records are your safety net.
- Ensure Legal Compliance and Ethics
Never ask or expect investigators to bend the rules. Courts reject evidence obtained unlawfully, and instructing illegal activity could have career-ending consequences.
Reputable investigators comply with GDPR, the Human Rights Act, RIPA, and other relevant laws. That means they use legitimate sources – public records, surveillance within the law, open-source intelligence.
When briefing, make clear that compliance is non-negotiable. This protects your case and reinforces professional standards.
- Agree Reporting Formats in Advance
Nothing undermines confidence more than being asked by a partner or client for an update when you have nothing to show. Prevent this by agreeing reporting formats from the start.
Decide how often you want updates (each attempt, daily, or only at completion), in what form (email, call, secure portal), and what level of detail is required. Most importantly, confirm that the final output will be in the right format for court use – such as an affidavit or formal statement.
This simple step avoids miscommunication and ensures you’re always ready when asked for progress.
- Keep Learning and Networking
Finally, invest in your own development. The investigative field evolves constantly – from digital forensics to changes in GDPR. Many providers, including Tremark, offer CPD-accredited webinars, training sessions, and networking events tailored for junior lawyers.
Not only do these keep your knowledge sharp, but they also expand your network. Building strong relationships with investigators now can pay dividends later when you need fast, reliable help on a high-pressure case.
Conclusion
For junior lawyers, building good working habits with investigators and process servers can be abundantly advantageous. Clear instructions, realistic planning, and strong communication will help your cases run smoothly, while professionalism and compliance safeguard both your clients and your career.
By treating investigators as trusted partners and making the most of their expertise, you’ll not only strengthen your cases but also establish yourself as a competent, dependable lawyer.
To instruct Tremark as your process server or investigator, get in touch with the team here.
Images supplied by Tremark
