Our success story

Locating and Assisting a Key Witness for Critical Legal Proceedings

The case background

A leading New Zealand lawyer engaged Serpenti Investigations NZ to assist with a highly sensitive and time-critical legal matter.

The case hinged on the testimony of a key witness whose evidence was essential to proving that allegations made against the lawyer’s client were false.

The witness had become difficult to locate and was hesitant to engage with the legal process, placing the entire defence strategy at risk.

Our Objective

Locate the critical witness, establish trust and willingness to participate, and facilitate the process of obtaining an official statement and supporting evidence for court proceedings.

"Serpenti Investigations was absolutely critical to the success of our case.
Their skill in locating and building trust with a reluctant witness, and their operational support during the interview process, were of the highest professional standard."
— Senior Criminal Defence Lawyer, Auckland
Our Approach to the case
  • Witness Tracing and Location:
    Conducted a discreet but comprehensive search using investigative databases, field inquiries, and network tracing techniques to identify the witness's current location.
  • Negotiation and Engagement:
    Approached the witness with utmost professionalism and confidentiality, successfully building trust and negotiating their agreement to meet with the lawyer.
  • Interview and Statement Facilitation:
    Assisted the lawyer during the witness interview process, helping to frame questions, guide the conversation, and capture critical testimony and additional evidence disclosed during the meeting.
  • Evidence Structuring:
    Supported the lawyer in documenting the witness statement in a format that aligned with evidentiary standards required for court presentation.
Our Results

The key witness was successfully located and engaged, despite initial reluctance.

A formal witness statement was obtained, along with supplementary evidence that materially supported the client’s defense.

The case outcome was significantly strengthened, with the witness’s testimony serving as a pivotal element in court.

Timeframe

3 Weeks

Facing a similar situation?

Every case is different, but the challenges can feel the same. If this sounds familiar, talk to us today — we’re here to help.