How to choose a private detective in France?

1 | CNAPS licensing

Ask the detective agency whether it is licensed.
The National Council for Private Security Activities (CNAPS) is the body that regulates the profession. A private detective must hold:

• An authorisation number (AUT) for their agency.
• A personal licence (AGD) for the director.
• A professional card (CAR) for each investigator.
• They must also have professional liability insurance covering their scope of activity.

What you must require:
Check these numbers on the CNAPS website via the [DRAKAR teleservice](https://teleservices-cnaps.interieur.gouv.fr/) and make sure these numbers are shown on quotes and contracts.

2 | Ask about their knowledge of the matter presented

A detective specialising in insurance investigations will not have the same skills as an expert in corporate fraud. Do not hesitate to ask for a detailed explanation of the measures put in place so you can understand the investigation as a whole.

A detective agency will always be able to explain the legal aspects of its interventions. For example, in the context of unfair competition, it can explain which evidence is admissible before the Lyon Commercial Court.

3 | Require a detailed, transparent quote

Rates range between €70 and €150 per hour in 2025, depending on complexity and location. A quote must include:

• • • Fees billed hourly or as a flat rate.
    • Travel and equipment costs.
    • Any surcharges (weekends, urgent cases, night work).

Avoid: “All-inclusive” cut-price offers, often synonymous with illegal practices. These practices may render the entire procedure void and backfire on both the professional and you.

4 | Find out about the legal framework for the intervention

A serious detective will refuse any illegal assignment (planting bugs, phone hacking) and will comply with Article 9 of the French Civil Code (privacy).
Before accepting an assignment, they will assess its Legal, Moral and Legitimate aspects, which are the three factors required for an investigation to be conducted properly.

Examples of legal methods admissible in court:

• • • Discreet surveillance during working hours (professional context)
    • Home surveillance (adultery context)
    • Administrative research (public records, open social networks)

5 | Confidentiality and professional secrecy

Professional secrecy is a legal obligation (Articles 226-13 and 226-17 of the French Penal Code).
You should check:

• • • That the mandatory licences exist
    • That the contract includes a confidentiality clause.

6 | Reports admissible in court

A report must be detailed, dated, and include material evidence (photos, videos, witness statements). Make sure it complies with the principles of legality, fairness and proportionality to avoid being rejected by the court.
Each jurisdiction has its own way of operating. As a result, certain pieces of evidence may be admissible in a criminal court, while being rejected by the Labour Court.

A private detective’s investigation report is a document that brings together legal evidence and is tailored to your needs and to the legal strategy put in place.

7 | A detective agency’s physical presence in your region

A detective based in Paris will not master the specifics of an investigation in Montpellier or Toulouse. Give preference to professionals with:

• • • Knowledge of the field (local networks, jurisdictions).
    • Reasonable travel expenses.

The strength of the Hypérion Group lies in systematically having an agent on site who knows the area perfectly.
This proximity offers the best responsiveness while combining the strength of an Investigation Group with far greater resources than an isolated detective.

For example, we may have to start our investigation in Lyon (69), continue in Annemasse (74) and ultimately have to finish in Switzerland near Geneva. Thorough knowledge of cross-border laws is required to successfully carry out this type of assignment as a whole.

Our network is our true strength. We will always find a solution tailored to your situation. Our teams and tools are diverse, enabling us to offer a virtually unlimited range of interventions.

8 | Stay informed about the progress of the case

Request regular updates and availability to answer your questions. A good detective adjusts their strategy according to the obstacles encountered. They may need to contact you to refine an urgent decision. Each assignment is different and sometimes requires information held by the client.

“ A relationship _intuitu personae_ (based on trust) must be established between you and the investigator ”.

9 | After the assignment

Some agencies offer legal follow-up or can put you in touch with partner lawyers. The benefit of working with a Group is ensuring the proper use of the evidence collected. We work with lawyers to refine both the needs and the strategy put in place for each case.

10 | What happens if the investigation fails?

A serious detective does not guarantee a result (obligation of means, not of result) but must explain the risks before accepting an assignment (e.g., person cannot be found, insufficient evidence).