These Terms of Business set out the terms upon which Seabrook Investigation Services ("we", "us", "our") agrees to provide professional investigation services to our clients.

By instructing us to carry out work on your behalf, you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to these Terms of Business.

1. About Us

Seabrook Investigation Services is a sole trader business based in Essex, providing professional investigation services to private individuals, businesses, insurers and legal professionals throughout Essex and, where appropriate, across the United Kingdom.

2. Our Services

We provide a range of lawful professional investigation services, which may include:

• Free 30 minute telephone consultation

• Surveillance

• Insurance investigations

• Matrimonial investigations

• Corporate investigations

• Background investigations

• Family searches

• Asset tracing

• Missing person investigations

  Each instruction is assessed individually, and we reserve the right to decline any matter that falls outside our expertise, presents a conflict of interest or cannot be undertaken lawfully or ethically.

3. Client Instructions

Before work begins, we will discuss your objectives, the scope of the investigation and any known limitations.

You agree that:

• The information you provide is accurate and complete to the best of your knowledge.

• You will provide any documentation or information reasonably required for us to carry out our work.

• You will notify us promptly if circumstances relevant to the investigation change.

• You will not ask us to undertake any activity that is unlawful or unethical.

We reserve the right to refuse or terminate instructions where we reasonably believe that continuing would breach the law, professional standards or these Terms of Business.

4. Estimates and Quotations

Any quotation or estimate provided before work begins is based on the information available at the time.

Where additional work becomes necessary, we will discuss this with you before incurring significant additional costs whenever reasonably practicable.

5. Fees and Payment

Our fees will be confirmed before work commences.

Unless agreed otherwise in writing:

• A deposit or retainer may be required before work begins.

• Fees are charged in accordance with our agreed quotation or hourly rates.

• Reasonable travel expenses, accommodation, parking, mileage, tolls and other necessary expenses may be charged in addition to our fees.

• Invoices are payable within 7 days of the invoice date.

• We reserve the right to suspend work where invoices remain unpaid.

Interest may be charged on overdue accounts where permitted by law.

6. Surveillance Operations

Where surveillance services are undertaken:

• Surveillance is conducted on a reasonable endeavours basis.

• We cannot guarantee that surveillance will produce usable evidence.

• Subjects may alter their behaviour, fail to appear or otherwise prevent evidence from being obtained.

• Operational decisions remain the responsibility of Seabrook Investigation Services to ensure investigations are conducted lawfully, safely and professionally.

7. Reports and Evidence

At the conclusion of an investigation, we may provide written reports, photographs, video recordings or other evidential material where appropriate.

Our reports represent our professional findings based on information available at the time of the investigation.

Reports are prepared solely for the client who instructed us unless otherwise agreed in writing.

They must not be altered or presented in a misleading manner.

8. Court Proceedings

Where requested and agreed in advance, we may attend court or other legal proceedings to provide factual evidence relating to our investigations.

Attendance will be subject to our availability and may incur additional charges.

We cannot guarantee that any evidence obtained will be accepted by a court or tribunal.

9. Confidentiality

We recognise that clients often instruct us regarding sensitive personal or commercial matters.

All information received during the course of our work will be treated as confidential except where disclosure is:

• Required by law.

• Required by a court.

• Necessary for legal proceedings.

• Necessary to protect our legal rights.

• Authorised by the client.

10. Data Protection

Personal information will be processed in accordance with:

• UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)

• Data Protection Act 2018

• Our Privacy Policy

Further information regarding our handling of personal data is available in our Privacy Policy.

11. Professional Standards

We are committed to conducting every investigation:

• Lawfully.

• Ethically.

• Objectively.

• Professionally.

• With respect for individual privacy and legal rights.

We will not undertake unlawful surveillance, harassment, trespass, interception of communications, computer intrusion or any activity prohibited by law.

12. No Guaranteed Outcome

Professional investigations involve gathering facts and evidence.

Whilst we use our knowledge, experience and professional judgement to maximise the prospects of achieving your objectives, we cannot guarantee:

• That evidence will be obtained.

• That an individual will be located.

• That surveillance will be successful.

• That legal proceedings will result in a favourable outcome.

• That our findings will support a particular allegation or defence.

Our obligation is to carry out the agreed services professionally and with reasonable care and skill.

13. Intellectual Property

All reports, photographs, video recordings and written material produced by Seabrook Investigation Services remain our intellectual property until all outstanding fees have been paid.

Once payment has been received in full, you are granted a non-exclusive licence to use the material for the purpose for which it was supplied.

You may not publish, distribute or commercially exploit our reports without our prior written consent.

14. Cancellation

You may cancel your instructions at any time by notifying us in writing.

You will remain responsible for payment of:

• Work completed before cancellation.

• Time already committed.

• Any non-refundable expenses incurred on your behalf.

Where operational planning has already taken place, reasonable preparation costs may also be payable.

15. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, our liability for any claim arising from our services shall not exceed the fees paid by you in relation to that instruction.

We shall not be liable for:

• Indirect or consequential loss.

• Loss of profits.

• Loss of business opportunity.

• Emotional distress arising from investigation findings.

• Decisions made by third parties based upon our reports.

Nothing within these Terms excludes liability where such exclusion would be unlawful.

16. Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any delay or failure to perform our obligations where this results from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to severe weather, industrial action, illness, government restrictions, equipment failure or other unforeseen events.

17. Complaints

If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of our service, please refer to our Complaints Procedure.

We are committed to resolving concerns promptly, fairly and professionally.

18. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms of Business from time to time.

The version in force at the date you instruct us will apply to your engagement unless otherwise agreed.

19. Governing Law

These Terms of Business are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

Any dispute arising from our services shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

Contact Us

Seabrook Investigation Services

Essex, United Kingdom

Email: admin@seabrookinvestigationservices.co.uk

Telephone: 07827 375071

Effective Date: 30th July 2026 (Last Updated)