WAPI - World Association of Professional Investigators

07/09/2026

WAD AND CII SEMINARS 2026

THE WAPI NEWS - “ROUNDUP”

WAD AND CII SEMINARS 2026

Both CII - Council of International Investigators and
WAD - World Association of Detectives held successful meetings over the last week, with elections for their next years’ governance.

WAD - in Cannes, France where WAPI were represented by GC Member Natalie McCullins and Member Charley Gracey who both enjoyed and benefitted from the excellent education components as well as the pleasure of the socialising and networking.

CII - in Prague, Czech Republic where I had the privilege of attending and enjoying amazing educational topics, and wonderful networking along with an outstanding program of social events.

The networking element is really important to progress our Sector.

The WAPI GC extends sincere congratulations to both Associations and the newly elected officers, and wishes successful terms 2026/2027 to all.

Posted by: Ian (D. Withers)



Copyright Notice: All article titles, trademarks and copyrights remain the property of their respective owners.
WAPI provides links and editorial summaries for informational purposes only.
Readers should access the original articles through the publishers’ websites or authorised services.

Disclaimer: WAPI is not the originator of this content and does not endorse or verify the accuracy of the material.
Complaints or requests for correction should be directed to the original publisher.
WAPI will review any substantiated notice of defamation and, if appropriate, remove or update the content.

18/08/2026

INDIA 🇮🇳 Happy Independence Day

THE WAPI NEWS - “ROUNDUP”

16 August 2026,

On behalf of the WAPI Governing Council, and on behalf of the members, we extend to Colleagues and the people of India our congratulations and best wishes on the 80th Independence Day of India 🇮🇳

Posted by: Ian (D. Withers)
M +44-79-7064-5420



Copyright Notice: All article titles, trademarks and copyrights remain the property of their respective owners.
WAPI provides links and editorial summaries for informational purposes only.
Readers should access the original articles through the publishers’ websites or authorised services.

Disclaimer: WAPI is not the originator of this content and does not endorse or verify the accuracy of the material.
Complaints or requests for correction should be directed to the original publisher.
WAPI will review any substantiated notice of defamation and, if appropriate, remove or update the content.

18/08/2026

Prague: PI Testifies Behind Closed Doors

THE WAPI NEWS - “ROUNDUP”

15 August 2026,
CRIME By Maksym Akimov
Metrostav CZK 150 Million Bribery Case:
Private Detective Testifies Behind Closed Doors
Prague

At a Prague court, private detective Robert Plevač testified for the first time in two years of proceedings in the case of former judge Zdeněk Sovák, accused of attempting to solicit a bribe of up to CZK 150 million from construction giant Metrostav.

Plevač allegedly acted as a go-between in the alleged corruption scheme and asked to testify behind closed doors — even Metrostav's lawyers, who were present as members of the public, had to be removed from the courtroom.

Judge Libor Holý first demanded a written justification specifying exactly what and whom Plevač intended to discuss and what risks an open hearing might pose, and only then granted the request — an exceptional move given that Czech court hearings are legally required to be public.

Interesting news story from the Czech Republic

Full Story:
https://aroundprague.cz/en/news/crime/metrostav-czk-150-million-bribery-case-private-detective-testifies-behind-closed

The verdict in this case could be delivered before the end of the year.
The former judge faces up to 12 years in prison.

Posted by: Ian (D. Withers)



Copyright Notice: All article titles, trademarks and copyrights remain the property of their respective owners.
WAPI provides links and editorial summaries for informational purposes only.
Readers should access the original articles through the publishers’ websites or authorised services.

Disclaimer: WAPI is not the originator of this content and does not endorse or verify the accuracy of the material.
Complaints or requests for correction should be directed to the original publisher.
WAPI will review any substantiated notice of defamation and, if appropriate, remove or update the content.

At a Prague court, private detective Robert Plevač testified for the first time in two years of proceedings in the case of former judge Zdeněk Sovák, accused of attempting to solicit a bribe of up to CZK 150 million from construction giant

18/08/2026

UK: PI SECTOR HISTORY 1965/1975

THE WAPI NEWS - “ROUNDUP”

A RESEARCH ARTICLE

Private Detectives: Investigation, Privacy and Personal Information in Britain, 1965–1975
Tobias Kelly - School of Social and Political Science.
Published by Cambridge University Press & Assessment in August 2026.

Tobias Kelly from the University of Edinburgh Research Explorer examines the contested role of British private investigators between 1965 and 1975, exploring public anxieties over privacy, personal data, and why regulatory crackdowns ultimately failed.

Core Themes of the Article:

The Social Role of P*s:
Private detectives sat between public perceptions of heroic truth-seekers and invasive, intrusive "snoops”.

The 1965–1975 Window:
A peak era for public inquiries, criminal investigations, and intense media scrutiny regarding private surveillance.

Shifting Data Cultures:
Explores how changing information technologies and emerging transparency cultures clashed with traditional investigation methods.

Regulatory Failure:
Investigates why widespread public angst regarding privacy violations did not successfully translate into lasting legislative restrictions on investigators.

The full report is very interesting reading for those who have an interest in the early days of the sector, and the lead up to the PSIA, which omitted the PI sector!

Comparative Studies in Society and History (2026), 1–22
doi:10.1017/S0010417526100590

https://www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/publications/private-detectives-investigation-privacy-and-personal-information/

Open Article:
Kelly, Tobias 2026. “Private Detectives: Investigation, Privacy and Personal Information in Britain, 1965–1975.” Comparative Studies in Society and History, 1–22, doi:10.1017/S001041752610059022
Tobias Kelly terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0010417526100590 Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core.
University of Edinburgh Library, on 10 Aug 2026 at 10:19:00, subject to the Cambridge Core

Posted by: Ian (D. Withers)



Copyright Notice: All article titles, trademarks and copyrights remain the property of their respective owners.
WAPI provides links and editorial summaries for informational purposes only.
Readers should access the original articles through the publishers’ websites or authorised services.

Disclaimer: WAPI is not the originator of this content and does not endorse or verify the accuracy of the material.
Complaints or requests for correction should be directed to the original publisher.
WAPI will review any substantiated notice of defamation and, if appropriate, remove or update the content.

Private Detectives: Investigation, Privacy and Personal Information in Britain, 1965–1975

18/08/2026

Richard Jacques-Turner - RIP

THE WAPI NEWS - “SAD NEWS”

A sad message from the WAPI Chairman and Governing Council:

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Richard Jacques-Turner, a highly respected and influential figure in the professional investigations community.
Richard made an enduring contribution to the profession, earning the respect of colleagues both in the UK and internationally. The award for excellence that bears his name is a fitting reflection of the standards, professionalism and commitment he championed throughout his career.
Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with his family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time.

The Founder and Principal of Paragon Investigations International, based around Hull/East Yorkshire.

A Past President of the World Association of Detectives, 1989–1990, and Executive Director from 2000 to 2005, and subsequently its executive director and listed as President Emeritus. A World Association of Detectives profile says he had approximately 40 years’ experience as an investigator and security consultant and retired from active investigations in August 2000.

A Past President of the Association of British Investigators in 1995 and Life member.
Richard received the ABI Frank Martin Award in 1999 and the Peter Heims Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
The Richard Jacques-Turner Award for Excellence was created in his honour in 2013 for achievements in investigation,
security and education.

R I P

Posted by: Ian (D. Withers)

14/08/2026

Guildford Four – ICO and Home Office lose FOIA appeal

THE WAPI NEWS - “ROUNDUP”


Victory for the Guildford Four – ICO and Home Office lose FOIA appeal

Doughty Street Chambers
53-54 Doughty Street, London, WC1N 2LS
Tel: 020 7404 1313

12 Aug 2026

“There is significant public interest in allowing the public to examine and consider available information to help them understand what happened and how the miscarriage of justice occurred”

The miscarriage of justice of the Guildford Four.

On 5 October 1974, bombs were detonated by the Provisional IRA at the Horse and Groom and Seven Stars public
houses in Guildford.

The bombs killed five people. On 7 November 1974, another PIRA bomb was thrown through the Kings Arms pub at
Woolwich, with two fatalities.

In 1975, following trial at the Central Criminal Court, Paddy Armstrong, Paul Hill, Gerry Conlon and Carole Richardson were
convicted of the crimes. History remembers them as ‘The Guildford Four’.

Prior to & during their trial, evidence emerged which suggested that the Guildford Four were not responsible for
the bombings..…

In a series of judgments, the First-Tier Tribunal has ruled that the Home Office was not entitled to withhold disclosure of a critical police investigation report into the Guildford Four pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Today, the Home Office’s attempt to appeal those judgments has failed.

The Home Office must now release the Habershon Report, permitting campaign groups, historians and lawyers to consider the grave miscarriage of justice of the Guildford Four in its full context.

The full article: https://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/victory-guildford-four-ico-and-home-office-lose-foia-appeal

In Logan v Information Commissioner and the Home Office Kate O’Raghallaigh led Jessie Smith, instructed by Glyn Maddocks KC, and Simon Natas of ITN Solicitors.

Posted by: Ian (D. Withers)



Copyright Notice: All article titles, trademarks and copyrights remain the property of their respective owners.
WAPI provides links and editorial summaries for informational purposes only.
Readers should access the original articles through the publishers’ websites or authorised services.

Disclaimer: WAPI is not the originator of this content and does not endorse or verify the accuracy of the material.
Complaints or requests for correction should be directed to the original publisher.
WAPI will review any substantiated notice of defamation and, if appropriate, remove or update the content.

“There is significant public interest in allowing the public to examine and consider available information to help them understand what happened and how the miscarriage of justice occurred

12/08/2026

CHINA PRC: INFORMATION BROKERS INDICTED

THE WAPI NEWS - “ROUNDUP”

CHINA / SOCIETY

China’s cybersecurity authority cracks down on selling of hotel records, other personal data
By Global Times
Published: Aug 11, 2026

China's cybersecurity authority on Tuesday publicized ten typical cases in its crackdown on crimes involving the infringement of citizens' personal information.

Several of the cases involve illegal investigation operations conducted under the guise of "private detective" services.
Obtaining highly sensitive personal information, including hotel check-in records, vehicle records and travel trajectories.

Using the pretext of "legal support" and "investigative assistance," they tsold the information at premium rates to lawyers and private investigators.

To date, all ten suspects have been placed under criminal coercive measures in accordance with the law, the authority said.

Other offences featured in the cases include schemes that coerce merchants into handing over buyers' personal information in exchange for boosted online ratings.

Full Article on Global Times: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202608/1367943.shtml

Posted by: Ian (D. Withers)


Copyright Notice: All article titles, trademarks and copyrights remain the property of their respective owners.
WAPI provides links and editorial summaries for informational purposes only.
Readers should access the original articles through the publishers’ websites or authorised services.

Disclaimer: WAPI is not the originator of this content and does not endorse or verify the accuracy of the material.
Complaints or requests for correction should be directed to the original publisher.
WAPI will review any substantiated notice of defamation and, if appropriate, remove or update the content.

China's cybersecurity authority on Tuesday publicized ten typical cases in its crackdown on crimes involving the infringement of citizens’ personal information. Among them was a case in which a criminal gang illicitly obtained highly sensitive data, including hotel check-in records, and sold the i...

10/08/2026

ASIA NEWS - PI REGULATION ?

THE WAPI NEWS - “ROUNDUP”

INDIA:

REGULATION RECOMMENDED BY THE SUPREME COURT

The private eye: Editorial on Supreme Court’s push to regulate detectives
Being unbound by law, the detective can also take things too far.

The Editorial Board
https://www.telegraphindia.com
Published 09.08.26

The Supreme Court, while reviewing photographic evidence in a matrimonial dispute, enquired who had taken the images and under what authority.
Upon being informed that it was the handiwork of a private detective, the apex court called private investigation an “area sans regulation” and referred the matter to the Union law ministry, suggesting the introduction of laws to regulate the nebulous realm within which private detectives operate.

Full Article: https://www.telegraphindia.com/amp/opinion/the-private-eye-editorial-on-supreme-courts-push-to-regulate-detectives-prnt/cid/2174112

SOUTH KOREA:

REGULATION IS WORKING, JUST NEEDS CRITERIA NOW

Slow Investigations Push Koreans Toward Private Detectives
By Yang Ji-hye
August 10, 2026

Analysts expect demand for private investigation services to grow further after the passage of a revised Criminal Procedure Act that strips prosecutors of their powers to conduct direct and supplementary investigations.

An analysis by Seoul Economic Daily of the Private Qualification Information service (PQI) run by the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training found that 135 private detective certifications were registered in the country as of this month. That is more than eight times the 16 recorded in 2020 — an increase of more than eightfold in six years.

There is currently no state-recognized certification for detectives; private operators that have passed PQI review issue the credentials to applicants who pass certain tests, including exams on law.

Industry groups estimate that the domestic workforce, which stood at about 8,000 in 2020, has since surpassed 10,000.

A lawyer who requested anonymity likewise explained, "Since adultery was decriminalized and police can no longer investigate infidelity cases, we not infrequently see people hiring detectives to gather evidence themselves. It is limited, but given that advanced countries such as the United States and Japan supplement investigative information through detectives, the possibility of introducing it in Korea does not seem out of the question."

A 2020 revision to the Credit Information Act legalized the use of the title "detective," but no system to regulate the scope of their work and their authority has yet been put in place.

Full Article: https://en.sedaily.com/society/2026/08/10/slow-investigations-push-koreans-toward-private-detectives

Posted by: Ian (D. Withers)



Copyright Notice: All article titles, trademarks and copyrights remain the property of their respective owners.
WAPI provides links and editorial summaries for informational purposes only.
Readers should access the original articles through the publishers’ websites or authorised services.

Disclaimer: WAPI is not the originator of this content and does not endorse or verify the accuracy of the material.
Complaints or requests for correction should be directed to the original publisher.
WAPI will review any substantiated notice of defamation and, if appropriate, remove or update the content.

Slow investigations are driving South Koreans to private detectives, with certifications up eightfold since 2020 and demand set to rise under a revised…

10/08/2026

The High Court warns of privilege challenge ‘chilling effect’ on investigations...

THE WAPI NEWS - “ROUNDUP”

Court warns of privilege challenge ‘chilling effect’ on investigations

Royal Courts of Justice
The High Court has dismissed an application over disclosing confidential communications relating to the instruction of enquiry agents.
06 Aug 2026

A recent ruling by the High Court of England and Wales on disclosure of communications relating to the instruction of private investigators will have a welcome impact for fraud cases, according to experts.

The court held that introducing a general rule that taking steps to set in motion a process to acquire information without consent of the subjects amounted to “iniquity”, such as to prevent any assertion of privilege over communications in relation to the instruction of investigators, would have a “chilling effect” on the ability of a claimant to obtain evidence in fraud cases.

Alan Sheeley, civil fraud and asset recovery expert at Pinsent Masons, said the court decision recognised the potential importance of employing enquiry agents, particularly in complex fraud and asset-tracing cases.

“The judgment recognises that investigation firms and enquiry agents can play an important role in obtaining documentary evidence, especially in circumstances where the alleged fraudster is unlikely to voluntarily provide information or may seek to hide it.

FULL ARTICLE:
https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/news/court-warns-privilege-challenge-chilling-effect-investigations

“In assessing whether a hiring party’s conduct is iniquitous, the court will consider whether their actions fall outside the ordinary run of cases and their beliefs as to the legitimacy of their investigator’s actions,” she explained.

“Any potential wrongdoing by the investigator will not necessarily result in a finding that the commissioning party’s actions were iniquitous. However, commissioning parties should still ensure that they understand the manner in which their investigator will obtain any information and keep this under review in case the parameters of the investigation change.”

Alan Sheeley- Partner
Pinsent Masons,
+447971871229
[email protected]

Posted by: Ian (D. Withers)



Copyright Notice: All article titles, trademarks and copyrights remain the property of their respective owners.
WAPI provides links and editorial summaries for informational purposes only.
Readers should access the original articles through the publishers’ websites or authorised services.

Disclaimer: WAPI is not the originator of this content and does not endorse or verify the accuracy of the material.
Complaints or requests for correction should be directed to the original publisher.
WAPI will review any substantiated notice of defamation and, if appropriate, remove or update the content.

A recent ruling by the High Court of England and Wales on disclosure of communications relating to the instruction of private investigators will have a welcome impact for fraud cases, according to experts.

05/08/2026

INDIA: Private Investigation Remains Unregulated Despite Supreme Court Concerns

THE WAPI NEWS - “ROUNDUP”

INDIA: Private Investigation Unregulated - Supreme Court Concerns
Gautam Kumar
August 04, 2026

INDIA: "The Supreme Court has observed that private investigation remains an “area sans regulation” and that a mechanism is needed to address evolving methods of evidence collection, including photographs and videos allegedly procured through private investigators or detectives."

The Indian Supreme Court's observations on regulating 'private investigation' are a welcome development for our industry. We look forward to the dialogue among all stakeholders and to seeing how this develops.

https://lnkd.in/dnBfgixu

Private Investigation Remains Unregulated Despite Concerns: Supreme Court Urges Law Ministry, Law Commission To Examine Issue The Apex Court flagged the absence of a regulatory framework for private investigators while dealing with photographs and videos allegedly collected in a matrimonial maintenance dispute. …..
By Muhib Makhdoomi|
01 Aug 2026

See the full article at
https://www.verdictum.in/supreme-court/hc-v-state-of-rajasthan-anr-2026-insc-778-private-investigators-privacy-1618984

Reposted by kind consent of Gautam Kumar
Leading The 3rd Generation Of India’s Premier Investigative Agency (GDA)
President At The Council Of International Investigators (CII)
Strategic Risk & Enhanced Due Diligence Expert

Posted by: Ian (D. Withers)



Copyright Notice: All article titles, trademarks and copyrights remain the property of their respective owners.
WAPI provides links and editorial summaries for informational purposes only.
Readers should access the original articles through the publishers’ websites or authorised services.

Disclaimer: WAPI is not the originator of this content and does not endorse or verify the accuracy of the material.
Complaints or requests for correction should be directed to the original publisher.
WAPI will review any substantiated notice of defamation and, if appropriate, remove or update the content.

The Apex Court flagged the absence of a regulatory framework for private investigators while dealing with photographs and videos allegedly collected in a matrimonial maintenance dispute.