FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Straight answers before
you instruct us.
These answers explain the usual process. Your quotation and terms will set out the details that apply to your instruction.
Will my enquiry be treated confidentially?
We handle enquiries discreetly and use the information you provide to assess and respond to your request. Our Privacy Policy explains how information is handled and the circumstances in which disclosure may be required.
Do you work outside Devon?
Yes. We are based near Exeter and provide investigation and surveillance services across the UK. Location, travel and operational requirements will be discussed before you instruct us.
How much does an investigation cost?
Costs depend on the objective, location, duration and resources required. We provide a written quotation outlining the proposed work, fees, estimated expenses and payment terms before you decide whether to proceed.
Can you guarantee a particular result?
No. An investigation cannot guarantee a particular finding. We explain the proposed approach and its limitations, and report what is established rather than promising a preferred outcome.
What should I include in my first enquiry?
A brief outline of the matter, the general location, any relevant deadline and a safe way to contact you are enough to begin. Please avoid sending extensive sensitive material until we have confirmed what is needed.
What kind of matters do you investigate for private clients?
Private instructions may include suspected infidelity, concerns about a partner’s movements or associations, tracing a person, monitoring compliance with court orders or restrictions, and establishing facts relevant to sensitive family or civil matters. Every enquiry is assessed for legality, necessity and proportionality before work is accepted.
Can a solicitor, insurer or business instruct you?
Yes. A substantial proportion of the assignments we undertake are for solicitors, insurers, businesses and other professional clients. We can work to a defined brief, deadline and reporting requirement, with the proposed scope and costs agreed before instruction.
What happens after I contact you?
We assess whether the enquiry is something we can assist with and may ask you to complete further information. If suitable, we provide a written proposal or quotation and terms. Work begins only after the instruction and payment arrangements have been agreed.
Will the subject know that I contacted you?
Discretion is central to every instruction. Each deployment is carefully planned and continually assessed to protect the integrity of the investigation. To date, none of our surveillance deployments has resulted in an operative being identified or compromised.
What will I receive at the end?
This depends on the service and is confirmed in the proposal. It may include a written report, observations and relevant photographic or video material obtained during the agreed work.
Are there instructions you will refuse?
Yes. We will not accept work where the purpose or proposed method appears unlawful, improper, disproportionate or outside our competence. We may request further information before making that decision.
STILL UNSURE?
Start with a brief,
confidential conversation.
Tell us what you need to understand and the safest way to reply.
Contact Arch