Can I Trace Someone for Court Purposes?
A Legal Professional’s Guide to People Tracing in the UK
When preparing for legal proceedings in the UK, it's not uncommon to encounter difficulties locating a key individual—whether it’s a debtor, witness, former spouse, or respondent. This raises a frequent and important question: can I legally trace someone for court purposes?
In this guide, we’ll explore the legal framework around tracing individuals for court action, how it works in practice, and how specialist tracing agents like TraceGO assist solicitors, legal teams, and private individuals in navigating this crucial step of the legal process.
Is It Legal to Trace Someone in the UK?
Yes, you can trace someone for court purposes in the UK—provided that the tracing is conducted in a lawful and compliant manner. The activity must adhere to data protection laws, particularly the UK GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and Data Protection Act 2018.
The law allows the processing of personal data for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims, which means that tracing someone for litigation, enforcement, or other court-related matters is permissible when it is proportionate and justifiable.
Common Legal Reasons to Trace Someone
There are several scenarios where tracing a person becomes necessary in a legal context:
1. Tracing a Debtor for Enforcement
If a person owes money following a County Court Judgment (CCJ) or High Court Writ, you may need to locate them to:
Serve legal documents
Instruct enforcement agents
Initiate bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings
2. Finding a Witness or Defendant
Solicitors frequently need to trace:
Witnesses who have moved or lost contact
Respondents or defendants in civil or family proceedings
Third parties named in legal disputes
3. Family Law Tracing
Tracing is common in family cases where one party has:
Disappeared without notice
Moved without leaving a forwarding address
Avoided court proceedings
This often arises in divorce, child contact, or financial remedy matters.
4. Tracing for Process Serving
You cannot serve court documents if you cannot find the individual. A valid address is essential for lawful and effective process serving.
5. Probate & Estate Administration
Solicitors acting in probate matters may need to trace:
Beneficiaries
Heirs at law
Distant relatives or next of kin
How Does Tracing for Court Work?
Tracing is typically carried out by professional tracing agents who use a combination of:
Credit agency data
Proprietary databases
Electoral roll information
Public records
Manual investigative research
At TraceGO, we verify the current residential address of the subject, ensuring it is suitable for:
Legal correspondence
Service of court papers
Further investigative or enforcement action
The process is usually completed within 24 hours, and a written trace report is provided—suitable for submission within legal documentation.
Is Consent Required to Trace Someone for Court?
No, you do not need the person’s consent to trace them if the purpose is a legal claim or part of a court case. UK GDPR allows for data to be processed without consent when:
It is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest
It is required for legal obligations
It supports the legitimate interests of the data controller (e.g., a solicitor pursuing a legal claim)
However, the data processing must still be proportionate, secure, and compliant with all other principles of data protection law.
Will the Trace Be Admissible in Court?
Yes, if performed properly, a trace can support court proceedings and enforcement actions. TraceGO provides reports that are:
Independently researched
Legally compliant
Suitable for submission in evidence bundles
Usable by enforcement officers, solicitors, and process servers
Our trace reports have been successfully used in:
Money judgment enforcement
Divorce and family hearings
Probate litigation
Civil disputes
Criminal defence
Why Choose a Professional Tracing Agent Like TraceGO?
While DIY tracing is technically possible using public information, it rarely meets the required standards for legal admissibility and accuracy. TraceGO offers:
✅ Fast Results – Most traces completed within 24 hours
✅ Legally Compliant Methods – GDPR-aligned, ethical tracing
✅ Expert Verification – Results manually checked by researchers
✅ Fixed-Fee Pricing – No subscription, no hidden fees
✅ No Find, No Fee Guarantee – You only pay if we locate the person
We work with law firms, litigation departments, estate practitioners, and local authorities across the UK.
What If the Person Cannot Be Traced?
In cases where the individual cannot be found through reasonable and lawful means, your legal team may consider applying for substituted service or seeking directions from the court on how to proceed.
It is always best to document your tracing efforts.
Conclusion: Yes, You Can Trace Someone for Court Purposes
If you are involved in legal proceedings and need to locate someone, you can legally and effectively use a tracing service like TraceGO to do so. Whether it's for service of documents, locating a debtor, or identifying a witness, our professional team ensures accurate, confidential and compliant tracing solutions—tailored for legal professionals.
Need to Trace Someone for Court?
Start your trace today with TraceGO. Our expert team is ready to assist you with fast, compliant and court-ready trace reports.
Or contact us to discuss how we can support your legal case with expert tracing services.