Confidentiality Towards the Client: Discretion in Investigations Is Self-Evident

The engagement of Kurtz Detective Agency Berlin takes place through a written investigation contract that we conclude with you as the client. One component of this contract is confidentiality, meaning that we do not provide any third parties with data from your assignment unless you explicitly request it or we become aware of a capital crime during the investigation (for example murder), which in practice almost never occurs (capital crimes must be reported). Furthermore, upon acceptance of the assignment Kurtz Investigations Berlin undertakes to act in accordance with your interests and not to pursue any other or conflicting interests. Without this confidentiality obligation, detective work would be almost impossible, because conducting investigations requires a relationship of trust between the client and the detectives.

Protection of Informants – Second Confidentiality Obligation of Detectives

The same confidentiality that Kurtz Detective Agency Berlin observes towards its clients is also maintained towards its informants so that their protection is not endangered. This circumstance must be accepted by the client. The disclosure of witnesses is, however, provided in the investigation report by stating their initials if this is useful for the assignment. For summons to testify before a court, the full names are communicated to the court.

Does a Detective Do Anything as Long as the Payment Is Right?

A very clear no. A reputable detective will only act in pursuit of legitimate interests on behalf of a client. Investigations intended merely to satisfy curiosity or base motives are excluded. Not even the prospect of a very high fee will change this, even though there are occasionally individuals who believe that generous payments can override the requirement of legitimate interest. Our Berlin detectives are, of course, not susceptible to bribery and only act where it is lawful. Reputable detectives do not allow themselves to be misused for criminal activities.

Right of Termination of the Client Towards the Detective Agency

To ensure that you as the client always retain full control over costs, we provide you contractually with two special services: firstly, unlike Kurtz Investigations Berlin, you have the right to terminate the investigation contract at any time without giving reasons (although it is naturally appreciated if you tell us your reason). Secondly, we give you the option of specifying your maximum budget for the investigation directly in the contract, thereby introducing a cost limit.

Kurtz Detective Agency Berlin, as the contractor, may only terminate the contract if there is a valid reason. This could, for example, be a conflict of interest (for instance investigations against one’s own relatives), although this situation has not occurred even once in our professional practice. A somewhat more likely scenario for termination on our part is when we discover that the client has feigned a legitimate interest by providing false information. This does occasionally occur, for example when stalkers attempt to approach their victim through the surveillance activities of a detective agency and claim during the assignment discussion that they are married to the victim or living in a marriage-like relationship. Other reasons may include non-payment, requests to commit criminal offences, or breaches of trust (we have even encountered jokers who attempted to settle the assignment privately with investigators and thus bypass the detective agency; anyone who tries this will no longer work with us).