Civil Investigator

Job overview
The job of civil investigators includes tracing people who have absconded without paying their business accounts or without making arrangements for payment.

The investigations and the evidence gathered are mostly for use in civil court cases.

Civil investigators can also work as insurance investigators or as company security officers.

What do people do in this job?
This job involves a great deal of office work, particularly when investigators are reporting to clients on their activities, expenses and progress, but there is plenty of outdoor work as well.

The outdoor work is usually done in the morning, e.g. ?tracing people, cars and goods, and the reporting work in the afternoon.

Legal firms are the largest providers of employment to civil investigators.

They use them to trace people who neglect to pay their debts.

Other important clients are businesses, especially those that sell goods on hire-purchase, and insurance companies that appoint civil investigators to trace witnesses or gather evidence in connection with accidents.

Civil investigators often have to testify in court.

What kinds of people are suitable for this career?
Above all civil investigators must have perseverance, integrity and the ability to brave all weathers and cope with all sorts of people in their outdoor work.

They sometimes need to exercise great tact in situations where they are received in an unfriendly or even hostile manner.

They may find themselves in very delicate situations, but whatever the circumstances their behaviour must be impeccable, and at the same time firm, especially when they have to take drastic action to repossess goods.

What qualifications are needed?
No specific qualifications are laid down, but a good command of English is important and knowledge of other languages is an advantage.

Some acquaintance with legal terminology and practice is useful too.