10 Tips for Junior Lawyers: Working With Investigators & Process Servers

Provide a concise written brief that covers everything your investigator or process server needs. A strong brief usually includes:

• Case details: court name, claim or reference number and the parties involved.
• Subject information: full name, last known address or addresses, date of birth and any other identifiers.
• Documents and task: specify exactly what papers to serve, include copies, or set out clearly what you need investigated.
• Deadline and method: state when you need the job done and how, whether that is personal service, posting, surveillance or something else.
• Contact details: your name, phone, email and the best times to reach you.

This level of detail removes confusion and delay. Process servers must follow strict rules, so even a small error or a missing address can void service and derail your case. Clear instructions help the team work efficiently and get things right the first time.

Communicate urgency, but allow enough time. Serving an evasive defendant or tracing a missing person can take days or weeks, so ask your provider for an estimated schedule and cost upfront.

For example, some claims forms must be served within four months of issue under the Civil Procedure Rules, so plan around deadlines like these. Extended surveillance or overseas service will also carry higher fees and need more lead time.

Being upfront about deadlines and budget prevents last minute rushes and surprise invoices, and helps everyone plan effectively.

Treat your investigators and servers as confidential partners. They will handle sensitive client data, from personal details and financial information to trade secrets, so make sure all communications and documents are marked and handled securely.

Professional investigators abide by strict confidentiality standards, and you should remind your own team to do the same by using encrypted email and avoiding unnecessary email chains.

Emphasising discretion protects client trust and keeps you compliant with data protection law. Any leak or mishandling of data could harm your client's interests and your firm's reputation.

Choose well established firms with proven credentials. The investigation and process serving industry is not formally regulated, so vet providers carefully and look for members of the Association of British Investigators (ABI).

ABI members carry professional indemnity insurance and must be free of convictions, which is a strong sign of reliability. Firms like Tremark are also ISO 27001 and ISO 9001 accredited and connected with the Law Society, adding a further layer of accountability.

A reputable agency is far less likely to commit sewer service (fake service) or take other shortcuts. Paying a little more for a vetted provider is usually worth it to avoid delays, challenges or ethical problems later on.

Remember that investigators are problem solvers. Ask for their input when cases get tricky, because they may spot leads you have not. A background check or a period of surveillance might reveal hidden assets or catch a defendant off guard.

They can often identify inconsistencies in witness accounts or suggest alternative service addresses. In court, an investigator can even provide expert evidence on how information was obtained.

Use their specialised skills proactively. A fresh perspective might uncover a weakness in the other side's case or open up a new angle for your arguments.