Tracing
Locate Individuals. Wherever They Are.
When individuals cannot be found — whether debtors, witnesses, missing persons, or next of kin — ODM Legal Services provides specialist tracing services to locate them quickly, discreetly, and lawfully. We operate across the UK and internationally, delivering verified location intelligence to support legal proceedings, enforcement action.
What is a Tracing Investigation?
Tracing is the process of locating an individual whose current whereabouts are unknown. It may be required for a wide range of purposes — recovering a debt, serving legal proceedings, locating a witness, reconnecting with a missing family member, or supporting an insolvency or probate matter. In each case, the objective is the same: to establish a verified, current address or location for the subject.
ODM Legal Services conducts tracing investigations using a combination of proprietary database searches, open-source intelligence, and — where necessary — discreet field enquiries. All methods are lawful, proportionate, and fully compliant with UK data protection legislation and the ABI Code of Conduct. Results are provided in a written report suitable for use in legal proceedings.
UK & International
Tracing capability across multiple jurisdictions
Court-Ready
Reports prepared to evidential standards
ABI Member
Association of British Investigators accredited
GDPR Compliant
All enquiries conducted lawfully and proportionately
Our Tracing Services
Specialist tracing for individuals across all circumstances and jurisdictions.
Person Tracing
Comprehensive tracing of individuals whose current address or whereabouts are unknown, drawing on proprietary databases, electoral roll data, credit reference searches, and open-source intelligence to establish a verified current location.
Debtor Tracing
Specialist tracing of debtors who have absconded or failed to maintain contact, providing creditors and their legal representatives with the verified address intelligence needed to pursue recovery and enforcement action.
Witness Tracing
Location of witnesses required for civil or criminal proceedings, including individuals who have moved address since an incident occurred or who are otherwise difficult to contact through conventional means.
Next of Kin Tracing
Sensitive and discreet tracing of next of kin for probate, estate administration, and notification purposes, conducted with the care and professionalism that these circumstances demand.
Skip Tracing
Targeted investigation to locate individuals who have deliberately evaded contact — including those who have changed identity, moved frequently, or taken steps to conceal their whereabouts from creditors or legal representatives.
International Tracing
Cross-border tracing of individuals who have relocated overseas, utilising international intelligence networks and lawful enquiry methods to establish verified location information across multiple jurisdictions.
How We Work
We begin with a confidential consultation to understand the purpose of the tracing enquiry, the known information about the subject, and any relevant legal context. This allows us to identify the most appropriate investigation strategy and provide a clear scope of work before any enquiries commence.
Our investigators conduct thorough, multi-source enquiries using proprietary databases, open-source intelligence, and — where appropriate — discreet field work. All methods are lawful, proportionate, and compliant with GDPR and the ABI Code of Conduct. We provide regular updates throughout the investigation and will advise promptly if the scope needs to be adjusted.
On completion, we deliver a written report confirming the subject's verified current address or location, together with the evidence base supporting our findings. Reports are prepared to evidential standards and are suitable for use in court proceedings, process serving, and enforcement applications.
Lawful, Ethical, and Fully Compliant Tracing
All tracing investigations carried out by ODM Legal Services are conducted strictly within the framework of UK law, including the Data Protection Act 2018, the UK GDPR, and the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. As members of the Association of British Investigators (ABI), we adhere to the ABI Code of Conduct and operate to the highest professional and ethical standards. We do not conduct tracing for purposes that are unlawful, disproportionate, or contrary to the rights of the individual being traced.
Need to Locate an Individual?
Speak to our specialist investigators today to discuss your tracing requirements in complete confidence. We work with law firms, insolvency practitioners, corporate clients, and private individuals across the UK and internationally.