Legal boundaries of our work
Rigorous analysis requires lawful methods. This page explains which matters BLACKFILE accepts, which it declines and why certain requests will not be undertaken at any price.
The matters we accept
BLACKFILE accepts matters with a lawful purpose and a legal basis for the client's interest.
- due diligence on counterparties, partners and prospective investments
- asset and debtor tracing where a legitimate interest is established
- litigation support and support for legal teams
- risk assessment to inform the client's own decisions
- people tracing on lawful grounds: family, inheritance or debt
Which requests we decline
Some requests are declined during the initial admissibility assessment, regardless of budget.
- monitoring someone's private life without lawful grounds
- requests indicating harassment or coercion
- requests to find compromising material in support of a predetermined conclusion
- access to correspondence, accounts and restricted data
- matters involving a conflict of interest with existing clients
What constitutes a lawful purpose
A lawful purpose requires a verifiable legal basis for your interest: a prospective transaction, an established debt, litigation, corporate rights, or a family or inheritance matter. Curiosity, jealousy and a desire to know everything about someone do not constitute a lawful purpose.
Which sources are permitted
We work with official registers, court and corporate databases, publications, archives, lawfully accessible digital footprints and materials lawfully supplied by the client. Each type of source is assessed under the law of the relevant country.
Why information availability varies between countries
The same type of information, such as ownership, beneficial ownership or court records, may be public in one jurisdiction and restricted or available only by court order in another. What can be established therefore depends on the country. A clear statement that information cannot lawfully be established in a particular jurisdiction is part of professional practice.
Why BLACKFILE does not obtain unauthorised access
Unlawfully obtained information undermines its evidential value, the client's reputation, their legal position and the company itself. BLACKFILE does not hack, purchase leaked data, use wiretapping or impersonate public authorities. Lawful methods are a condition of quality.
Why discovery cannot be guaranteed
No reputable firm can guarantee that an asset, person or fact will be found: the result depends on the traces available in lawful sources. Our commitment is to examine all available avenues methodically and record honestly what could not be established.
The limits of BLACKFILE's analytical role
BLACKFILE establishes and verifies facts. Legal characterisation, litigation strategy, tax advice and regulatory opinions are the responsibility of licensed lawyers and advisers in the relevant jurisdiction. Our analysis provides them with a verified factual basis.
When a separate legal assessment is required
If you intend to use the findings in court, for debt recovery, in a compliance procedure or publicly, a lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction should assess their applicability and admissibility. BLACKFILE records sources in its materials specifically to support that assessment.
Related pages: how BLACKFILE works , confidentiality and data .
Unsure whether your request is acceptable?
Describe the matter in general terms. The initial assessment of whether we can accept it is free and takes place before any work begins. If the matter falls outside our remit, we will say so directly.