For the legal profession

Know your opposing party, your witnesses and their assets

A well-prepared case starts with knowing who stands opposite you, who is testifying and where recovery is possible. We map it out before you litigate.

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Legal

Background Investigation on Litigants, Witnesses and Prejudgment Attachment

Before you litigate, you want to know three things. Who is the opposing party really: corporate structure, director history, prior proceedings, reputation? How reliable are the witnesses on both sides: do their statements match the objective facts? And is there anything to recover at the end: a creditor may recover a claim against all assets of the debtor (Article 3:276 Dutch Civil Code), but only if those assets are known. Prejudgment attachment requires leave from the preliminary relief judge, who decides after summary examination (Article 700 Dutch Code of Civil Procedure). The attachment petition therefore has to name concrete assets. We answer these three questions in one place, with a source reference per finding.

What we investigate

Background investigation on the opposing party

Corporate structure and ownership: shareholders, directors, UBOs, subsidiaries and affiliated entities at home and abroad. Financial position: filed annual accounts, payment behaviour, signs of financial distress. Legal history: prior proceedings, bankruptcies, director disqualifications, sanctions. Network: business connections, overlapping directorships, family ties. Reputation and media: coverage and online presence that colour credibility. Natural persons as well as legal entities.

Witness verification

A statement can make or break a case. We test whether the details match objective data (times, locations, registrations, documents), whether there are contradictions with earlier statements and whether a witness has an interest in the outcome. Where permitted and useful, we approach witnesses ourselves for a recorded statement. The findings help you decide which witnesses to call and how to question a witness for the other side.

Asset investigation for prejudgment attachment

We identify assets that can be attached: real estate via the Land Registry, vehicles, banking relationships (through payment data and public sources), receivables from third parties, shares and participations, and assets placed with affiliated parties. The report is structured so that it can serve as an exhibit to the attachment petition. For a broader picture of the recovery position, also without attachment, see asset tracing.

For which areas of law?

Civil law (financial capacity and recovery position of the opposing party), corporate law (director liability, shareholder disputes), family law (actual assets in alimony or division cases), employment law (dismissal cases, non-compete disputes), insolvency law (director history in bankruptcy) and criminal law (background of co-suspects or witnesses).

How does the investigation work?

Intake

we discuss what information you need, for what purpose and by when; for an attachment petition often within days.

Investigation plan

sources, depth, timeline and fixed price.

Execution

trade registers, land registries, insolvency registers, open sources and media, internationally where needed; witnesses are approached only within the limits of the Wpbr and the privacy code of conduct.

Reporting

a profile with findings, source references and points of attention for your strategy.

Want to discuss your situation?

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⚖️ Legal framework

SAJ Recherche operates in compliance with the Dutch Private Security and Investigation Agencies Act (Wpbr) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR/AVG). All investigations are conducted under POB licence 8779, issued by the Ministry of Justice and Security.

Legal recognition and licences

Ministry of Justice · POB licence 8779

GDPR-compliant · Data Protection Authority

Police-screened

DPIA - Data Protection Impact Assessment

DPIA-compliant

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Frequently asked questions

How quickly is the report ready?

A standard background investigation is usually completed within five working days. Asset investigation for an attachment petition can be delivered within a few days in urgent cases; we agree this at intake.

Can I attach the report to the attachment petition?

Yes. The asset investigation is drafted so that the preliminary relief judge sees concrete assets, with sources, during the summary examination under Article 700 DCCP.

What if the opposing party hides assets?

Then we look for traces: transfers to affiliated parties, new entities, foreign registrations and discrepancies between lifestyle and declared income. There are no guarantees, but concealed assets often leave traces in public registers.

May SAJ Recherche approach witnesses?

Yes, within the limits of the Wpbr and the privacy code of conduct: open about who we are, without pressure and without deception. A witness is not obliged to speak with us. What is stated, we record in writing.

Do you also handle international cases?

Yes. Foreign trade registers, land registries and open sources form part of the investigation when the opposing party or the assets are located outside the Netherlands.

What does it cost?

That depends on the depth. After the intake you receive a fixed-price agreement. See also our rates.

Related services

Asset Tracing Fact-Finding and Evidence Gathering OSINT, Social Media and Digital Evidence Analysis

Read more about background investigation on litigants, witnesses and prejudgment attachment

Opponent Research for Litigation Case: Pre-Judgment Seizure