The Research and Investigation Agency (ARI) was created in 1997 by its director, Jean-Marie Lefebvre.

Registered with the Paris Police Headquarters (receipt no. 961 of 4 January 1997), it complies with the provisions of Act no. 83-629 of 12 July 1983, as amended by Act no. 2003-239 of 18 March 2003 governing the activities performed by private investigation agencies.

It is a member of the National Regulatory Authority for Private Investigators (CNSP-ARP) and the Institute of French Private Investigators (ODF).

Its investigators are not bound by any principle of territoriality and may consequently carry out their investigations both in France and overseas. It benefits from partnerships with international networks, such as the "European Council Of Detectives" and the "World Association of Detectives", of which it is a registered member.

The agency may be appointed directly by private individuals and corporate customers, or by their counsel. Following each mission, the agency provides its customers with an in-depth, detailed written report. The report may be used as evidence in court trials, in accordance with Articles 200 to 202 of New French Civil Law. Reports that have been written by private investigators with a sufficient level of objectivity and detail are constantly admitted by the Court of Appeal following its landmark judgement no. 1020 of 7 November 1962 (a non-exhaustive list of case law references is attached to the agency's reports).

It is registered with the local accountancy management centre approved by the French Inland Revenue and is covered for professional civil liability (no. 314-182-362 / Cover: €189 652).

Furthermore, since 2000, the Research and Investigation Agency is regularly appointed in an expert capacity by the Paris Commercial Court to carry out specific investigations.

In 1996, Jean-Marie Lefebvre was awarded the qualification of Private Investigator by the Training Institute for Private Investigators (IFAR).

Since 1997, he has been the director and leading investigator of the Research and Investigation Agency. In this capacity, he is a legally appointed agent for gathering evidence and information for the prevention and redress of any cases of prejudice.

He also has a HND (Higher National Diploma) in Private Investigation Management from the Panthéon-Assas University in Paris.

Jean-Marie Lefebvre speaks fluent English and has successfully completed the "Strategy and Tactics Training", "Information Gathering", "Law Enforcement Training" and "Cash In Transit Training" modules taught by the Smith and Norris Security Training (SNST). At the SNST centre, he was trained and mentored by Ronald Dunckelman, a former executive of the National Security Agency (NSA) and a world-renowned private detective. He specialised in criminal investigations, economic enquiries and surveillance missions.

After being appointed by private or corporate customers, he carries out the necessary investigations to gather evidence and information as required for the defence of legitimate, legal and moral causes. His mission is to provide the agency's customers with advice, information and assistance, and conduct any investigations and inquiries.

In addition, since 2000, he has been called on as an expert witness by the Paris Court of Appeal.

Agent actions: tailing, surveillance, infiltration

Obviously, tailing and surveillance continue to be effective methods when carrying out an investigation, but we sometimes have to resort to infiltration to get to the very heart of the dispute and determine the causes, especially in the case of industrial litigation. We use fully-equipped, unmarked cars and motorbikes for all tailing operations. Following our investigations, the customer is provided with an in-depth, detailed report to be used for whatever purposes required.

Electronics: taking over from agent actions

Video, IT and even GSM and GPS are essential for picking up from where our agents leave off when no human action is possible. Electronic devices enable our investigators to gather accurate, useful information, as well as learn, anticipate and therefore find a solution. Photos can be taken in accordance with the provisions of the applicable laws.

Worldwide field of action

A network of recognised agents is used for investigations around the world. Irrespective of the location, we are always on site to check and confirm the facts to be gathered.

In partnership by means of an annual contract or even recurring requests, the Research and Investigation Agency investigates and protects the interests of several customers, including:

• Recruitment firms
• Inheritance genealogists
• Property managers and solicitors
• Companies manufacturing high value-added products
• Supermarkets and hypermarkets
• Banks, credit companies and insurance companies
• Legal customers (lawyers and bailiffs)
• Private individuals and associations
• Businesses and industrial companies