A CLIENTS' STORY

Brief Account of Events

I separated from my former wife in April 2002

The financial settlement battle started in September 2002 with Financial form E's and statements being exchange between solicitors in readiness for negotiations to begin prior to an FDR. .Within her forms she was claiming unreasonable amounts of capital and maintenance for life base on her supposed invalidity. Although my ex-wife had four knee operations in the early 1990 and was claiming incapacity benefit I knew, having lived with her, that she was physically capable of working and had very active life -style. She claimed that she couldn't walk properly or for more than a couple of hundred yards without having problems, that she couldn't bend or use her knees properly and was physically incapable of doing ANY type of work because of the limitations this left her with.

In the first court hearing her solicitor also stated all the above which was also in her legal statement to the court.

I knew this to be a lies and she was working 4 days a week for her friend at her horse riding stables, doing a physical job whilst getting paid cash in hand. In addition to this she was horse riding daily. My solicitor challenged this pointing out that we believed she was capable of much more than she was stating. Because the stables were remote and isolated and statements made by friends weren't enough proof my solicitor suggested employing an Independent Private Investigator.

Via the internet I found details of a few PI companies within the UK. After contacting a couple of them I employed the services of UK PI to achieve a number of objectives. Some were "must prove" and one being "if possible":-

How often was she going to the stables ?         "must prove"

How long was she staying there ?                    "must prove"

What work was she doing ?                             "must prove"

Was she riding and to what degree                   "must prove"

Try and get footage of her being paid.                "if possible"

UK PI achieved all the "must have" and provided a report, video footage and statements from the PI's involved. Although, as I'd expected, it proved impossible to obtain evidence of her getting paid the evidence proved she was doing a job you'd be expect paying to do.

As my wife or her solicitor seemed un-prepared to negotiate everything was set for a final hearing in April 2003.

On that day my barrister tried negotiating with the other side prior to going into court but they still provided no evidence. They were still demanding all of the equity from the former matrimonial home (approx. £170k) and £1000 per month for life personal maintenance for my ex-wife on the grounds that she would never be able to work again. The court hearing was adjourned without the PI evidence being shown to the judge. The judge decided on the adjournment to allow the other side to obtain medical reports from an Occupational Consultant and an Orthopaedic Consultant. Both of which were to be appointed in agreement my both parties.

The next 6 months were spend in and out of court arguing who she should see. She eventually won the battle and was allowed to see someone about 180 miles away as apposed to the few more local consultants (within 40 miles). This concerned us greatly as it appeared that the consultants were hand picked by her barrister. She missed 3 appointment with the consultants. The Orthopaedic Consultant's report was sent to us in October. He failed to read or review the PI evidence and based his report on the facts presented to him by my ex-wife:-

• She was unable to get on a bed unaided
• She had difficulty going up and down the stairs in his offices
• She was in continual pain
• She could bend her leg
• She was scared to try anything as she felt her knee was going to dislocate

All of the above were obvious lies and would have been evident had the PI report and evidence been viewed.

My solicitor wrote to the consultant insisting that he must view all the evidence as directed by the court. He re-wrote his report stating he had been totally mislead, lied to and that she was capable of working, was malingering and had deliberately mislead him to influence the outcome.

The Occupational Consultant submitted a similar report that was totally supportive of my claims and case.

My ex-wife had not only been proven to be capable of working full time, but also that she lied intentional to the professionals and within statements to the court.

We eventually went to court in February 2004. Up until 60 minutes before going into court the other side we still trying to blackmail me into giving much more than was fair or the court would have. My former house was due to be re-possessed as my ex-wife would not agree to sell it and as there was a buyer about to pull out, they were using this as blackmail. With about 1 hour to go before going to court her barrister suddenly changed and tried to negotiate. My barrister did this on my instruction but stayed very firm. As my barrister and solicitor had advised me, they we're terrified of going before the judged faced with all the evidence and reports. I gained a clean break, my pension, child maintenance going through the CSA (as I'd wanted) and £22k from the equity of the house.

Had I not used UK PI and obtained the evidence they provided I have not doubt that my ex-wife's lies would have convinced everyone and that I'd have spent the rest of my life paying sizable maintenance.

UKPI:              Where you originally found out about our company?  

CLIENT:           On the internet.

UKPI:              How you felt about using a firm of investigators and how you felt about dealing with us?

CLIENT:           I initially felt guilty and what I was doing, but was and am so, so relieved that I did.

UKPI:              How did you feel about the way we treated you?

CLIENT:           UK PI were always very professional, helpful and willing to suggest alternatives.

UKPI:              Would you use us again in any capacity? 

CLIENT:           YES!

UKPI:              Would you recommend us to potential private/commercial clients etc?

CLIENT:           YES, definitely!

UKPI:              Finally, what the outcome would potentially have been if you had not have instructed UKPI? 

CLIENT:           Please see above.

Naturally, we cannot divulge the identity of our client ( all client details are strictly confidential). However, this client is willing to consult with you confidentially, if you let us know in advance.

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