Legal
Terms and conditions
Dutch Detective Agency's terms and conditions for investigations, advice, international assignments and drone services.
Company details
These terms set out the basis on which Dutch Detective Agency accepts and carries out instructions for investigations, advice, international assignments and drone services. A quotation or engagement confirmation may contain additional or different arrangements. In the event of a conflict, the more specific arrangement in the quotation or engagement confirmation prevails. The Dutch text of these terms is the authoritative version unless mandatory law provides otherwise.
- Business
- Dutch Detective Agency, sole proprietorship
- Registered location
- Rotterdam, the Netherlands · working throughout the Netherlands and internationally. No visiting address is published; meetings take place by appointment only, at a discreet location agreed in advance.
- Registrations
- Chamber of Commerce 70037191 · POB licence 1758
- Contact
- info@dutchdetectiveagency.com · +31 (0)85 060 0100
Version 1.1 · 18 September 2026
Article 1 · Definitions
1.1 Dutch Detective Agency: the sole proprietorship named above, also referred to as DDA.
1.2 Client: the natural person or legal entity that asks DDA to perform work or enters into an agreement with DDA.
1.3 Consumer: a client acting for purposes outside their trade, business or profession.
1.4 Instruction: the agreed investigative, surveillance, advisory, screening, tracing, drone or related work.
1.5 Investigation information: all data, reports, notes, photo, video and audio files and other results obtained or produced in connection with an instruction.
Article 2 · Applicability and order of precedence
2.1 These terms apply to every enquiry, quotation, instruction, follow-up instruction and agreement with DDA, unless agreed otherwise in writing.
2.2 The quotation, engagement confirmation and any special conditions form part of the agreement together with these terms. A specific written arrangement prevails over a general provision.
2.3 A business client's own terms do not apply unless DDA has accepted them expressly and in writing.
2.4 If a provision is void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue to apply. The parties will replace that provision with a valid provision that stays as close as possible to its purpose, to the extent permitted by law.
Article 3 · Enquiry and formation of the agreement
3.1 An enquiry or exploratory conversation does not oblige DDA to accept an instruction. Before accepting, DDA may request identification, authority documents, background information and an explanation of the purpose of and interest in the investigation.
3.2 The agreement is formed once DDA confirms the instruction in writing, the client accepts a quotation or engagement confirmation, or DDA begins work at the client's express request.
3.3 The client receives these terms before or when the agreement is concluded, in a form that can be stored. By accepting the instruction, the client confirms receipt and acceptance of these terms.
3.4 DDA may refuse or end an instruction if its purpose, basis or execution may be unlawful, disproportionate, unsafe, misleading or contrary to professional rules. DDA is not required to give information that could harm confidentiality, safety, investigative methods or legal obligations.
Article 4 · Nature and scope of the instruction
4.1 DDA carries out the instruction carefully and professionally, within the agreed scope and budget, applicable law and the rules that apply to licensed private investigation agencies.
4.2 DDA undertakes a best-efforts obligation. DDA does not guarantee that an investigation will produce particular facts, persons, images, statements or legally usable evidence, nor that court, employment, insurance or maintenance proceedings will have a particular outcome.
4.3 Planning, deployment times and lead times are indicative unless a strict deadline has been expressly agreed in writing. Investigative interests, availability, safety, weather, cooperation by third parties and legal restrictions may require adjustment.
4.4 If new facts arise during the work, DDA may adjust its approach within the agreed objective. Any material extension of scope or budget is discussed with the client in advance, except where immediate action is necessary and waiting would demonstrably harm the investigation; in that case DDA stays within reasonable and proportionate limits.
Article 5 · Client obligations
5.1 The client provides complete, accurate and relevant information in good time and reports changes that may affect the lawfulness, safety or execution of the instruction.
5.2 The client declares that it has a lawful and sufficiently weighty interest in the instruction. The services may not be used for harassment, stalking, discrimination, vigilantism, blackmail, unlawful monitoring, circumventing a restraining order or any other unlawful purpose.
5.3 A business client warrants that the instruction is given by an authorised person and that any required internal decisions, policies, works council involvement, information duties and employment law requirements have been observed. DDA independently assesses whether and how an investigation can responsibly be carried out.
5.4 During the investigation the client will not take steps that alert individuals, influence evidence or endanger DDA's personnel or partners, unless DDA has agreed in advance.
5.5 Loss, delay or additional costs arising from incorrect, incomplete or late information from the client are for the client's account, to the extent reasonable and permitted by law.
Article 6 · Execution and engagement of third parties
6.1 DDA decides on professional grounds which personnel, investigative methods and resources are used within an instruction.
6.2 DDA may engage qualified investigators, drone pilots, technical specialists, translators, lawyers or other service providers. Where a licence, registration or certification is required, DDA engages only persons or organisations able and required to meet it.
6.3 Where a specialist contracts directly with the client, that specialist is responsible for its own work; DDA states this in advance. Where the specialist acts as DDA's auxiliary, DDA remains the point of contact for the agreed instruction.
6.4 For requests with a foreign element, DDA assesses in advance whether it can carry out the instruction itself lawfully and responsibly. DDA may refuse, suspend or end work outside the Netherlands.
Article 7 · Rates and costs
7.1 The quotation or engagement confirmation states whether a fixed price, a reserved block of hours or capacity, an hourly rate on a time-spent basis, or a combination applies. Prices communicated to consumers include VAT unless clearly stated otherwise; prices quoted to business clients exclude VAT unless stated otherwise.
7.2 Travel time, mileage, accommodation, tolls, parking, permits, data sources, technical resources, translation and other external costs are charged separately where the quotation or engagement confirmation provides for this or where they are reasonably necessary for the instruction.
7.3 A block of hours or capacity agreed in advance counts as reserved capacity and is charged in full, even if the investigation can be completed earlier or not every reserved hour is actually used. A time-spent basis applies only where the quotation expressly states that only time actually spent will be charged. DDA gives notice when additional budget or capacity is required and, where possible, requests prior approval.
7.4 Work outside the agreed scope is carried out only with the client's approval, save for the limited urgent situation in article 4.4.
Article 8 · Payment, reservation and settlement
8.1 The client pays the full fixed price or the full amount for the agreed block of hours or capacity in advance, unless agreed otherwise in writing. Payment reserves time, availability and investigative capacity, and may mean DDA declines or reschedules other instructions. DDA need not start before payment has been received.
8.2 A fixed price and a reserved block of hours or capacity are not an advance against hours actually used. Once capacity is reserved there is therefore no right to a refund merely because the investigation ends earlier, a deployment does not require all reserved time, or the desired result is achieved sooner. Unused capacity may be carried over or applied to a follow-up instruction only where DDA permits this in writing.
8.3 Only where the quotation expressly provides for settlement on a time-spent basis will charges be based on time actually spent and costs incurred, in accordance with the payment terms in the quotation or engagement confirmation.
8.4 If reserved capacity or the available budget becomes insufficient, DDA may suspend the work and request payment for an additional phase. DDA gives notice as soon as possible, unless an immediate safety measure or necessary closing action cannot reasonably wait.
8.5 An invoice must be paid within the term stated on it. In the event of late payment the client owes statutory interest and reasonable collection costs, following any legally required reminder. For consumers, only the interest and collection costs permitted by law apply.
8.6 Objections to an invoice do not automatically suspend the payment obligation. DDA and the client will, however, discuss a substantiated objection as soon as possible.
Article 9 · Consumer right of withdrawal
9.1 Where a consumer concludes the agreement at a distance, for example via the website, email or telephone, or off business premises, the consumer in principle has fourteen days to withdraw from the agreement, to the extent the law grants this right.
9.2 If the consumer wants DDA to start during the withdrawal period, DDA requests express prior consent. On withdrawal after work has started at the consumer's request, the consumer pays a proportionate amount for the part already performed and the costs reasonably incurred.
9.3 The right of withdrawal lapses once the service has been fully performed, where the consumer expressly agreed in advance to full performance during the withdrawal period and acknowledged losing the right of withdrawal upon full performance.
9.4 The consumer may withdraw by any unambiguous statement sent by email or post, and may use the model form at the end of these terms.
Article 10 · Amendment, cancellation and termination
10.1 The client may amend or end an instruction in writing. DDA confirms the consequences for planning, feasibility and costs.
10.2 On cancellation the client pays for work already performed, external costs incurred and unavoidable, and a reasonable fee for capacity reserved specifically for the instruction that DDA can no longer reasonably deploy elsewhere. Depending on the timing and size of the reservation, this fee may amount to the full agreed price. DDA explains these items on request. For consumers, never more than the law permits is charged.
10.3 DDA may suspend performance or terminate the agreement in the event of non-payment, insufficient cooperation, incorrect information, a conflict of interest, a safety risk, a missing required consent or licence, or a suspicion of an unlawful purpose.
10.4 After termination DDA issues a final statement. A balance is refunded within fourteen days only where one remains after accounting for work performed, costs incurred and reserved capacity that can no longer reasonably be deployed. Where the entire reserved capacity could no longer be used for other instructions, the refundable balance may be nil.
Article 11 · Drone services
11.1 Drone services are performed only by a qualified pilot and within the aviation, privacy, safety and local rules in force at the time. The drone type named in a quotation may be replaced by equivalent suitable equipment where technically, operationally or legally necessary.
11.2 A flight depends on factors including airspace restrictions, registrations, permits or declarations, location, bystanders, buildings, weather, visibility, satellite connection, interference and instructions from competent authorities. DDA therefore does not guarantee that a flight can take place at a planned moment or that the desired images can be captured.
11.3 The client provides accurate location details in good time and obtains the consents for which it is responsible, such as consent for access to or take-off from private land. This never amounts to permission to breach aviation or privacy rules.
11.4 If a flight is not responsible or not permitted, the pilot may postpone, adjust or abort it. Where reasonably possible DDA proposes a new moment or an alternative. Costs and preparation hours already incurred remain payable; work not performed is settled in accordance with articles 8 and 10.
11.5 Drone footage is collected, retained and provided only within the agreed instruction and applicable privacy rules. The mere availability of zoom, recording or tracking functions does not mean they may lawfully be used.
Article 12 · Reporting, investigation information and evidence
12.1 DDA reports in the agreed form. Factual observations are distinguished as far as possible from analysis, assumptions and third-party information.
12.2 The client understands that statements, public sources, data files and third-party information may be incomplete or incorrect. DDA verifies information as far as reasonably possible within the instruction.
12.3 DDA does not guarantee that investigation information will be admitted as evidence, or found decisive, by a court, employer, insurer, opposing party or other body. Where necessary the client obtains independent legal advice.
12.4 The client uses investigation information only for the lawful purpose stated in advance and provides it only to those who need to receive it for that purpose, such as a lawyer, authorised officer, insurer or competent authority.
12.5 Disclosure, publication on social media, misleading editing or use for harassment is not permitted without DDA's prior written consent and a separate lawfulness assessment.
Article 13 · Privacy, confidentiality and retention
13.1 DDA handles confidential information carefully and acts in accordance with applicable privacy law and the rules of conduct for licensed private investigation agencies.
13.2 The data protection roles of DDA and the client are determined by law and by actual control over the purposes and means of processing. Where necessary, additional data processing arrangements are made.
13.3 The client provides personal data only where this is necessary and lawful and informs DDA of any restrictions on its use.
13.4 DDA may share confidential information with engaged persons who need it for the instruction and who are bound by appropriate confidentiality. Disclosure is also permitted where required by law, a court decision, a competent supervisory authority or a necessary legal claim.
13.5 Retention periods, data subject rights, security and further privacy information are described in DDA's privacy policy. A client request cannot lead to retention, erasure or disclosure contrary to legal obligations or the rights of others.
Article 14 · Intellectual property and right of use
14.1 Copyright and other intellectual property rights in methods, formats, report structures, analyses, texts and material produced by DDA remain with DDA or the relevant rights holder.
14.2 After payment in full the client receives a non-exclusive, non-transferable right of use for the agreed lawful purpose, including internal consultation and provision to a lawyer, competent body or other necessary professional adviser.
14.3 Raw working files, internal notes, technical metadata and investigative methods need not be provided unless agreed in writing or required by law.
14.4 The client may not shorten, edit or use a report out of context in a way that creates a misleading impression.
Article 15 · Complaints
15.1 A complaint is reported in writing as soon as possible to info@dutchdetectiveagency.com, describing the instruction, the relevant moment and the desired resolution.
15.2 DDA confirms receipt and handles the complaint in accordance with the complaints procedure published on the website. DDA may request further information needed to examine the complaint properly.
15.3 A complaint does not automatically suspend a payment obligation. This provision does not limit consumers' mandatory rights and does not prevent a competent supervisory authority or court from being approached.
Article 16 · Liability
16.1 DDA is liable for direct loss that is the direct result of an attributable breach, to the extent the law permits exclusion or limitation. DDA is not liable for loss arising from a result that was never guaranteed, from investigative steps lawfully declined, or from incorrect information supplied by the client or third parties.
16.2 For business clients, liability for indirect loss, consequential loss, lost profit, lost savings, reputational harm and loss of data is excluded, unless mandatory law provides otherwise.
16.3 Where DDA's liability insurance provides cover for the case in question, total liability is limited to the amount paid out under that insurance plus the applicable deductible. If no insurance payment is made, liability is limited to the amount paid for the relevant instruction, to the extent the law permits.
16.4 The limitations in this article do not apply in the event of intent or wilful recklessness by DDA, nor to the extent a limitation is not permitted under mandatory law in cases of injury or death or towards a consumer.
16.5 The client takes reasonable steps to prevent or limit loss and reports a possible claim with sufficient information as soon as reasonably possible.
Article 17 · Force majeure
17.1 DDA is not required to perform an obligation for as long as performance is reasonably impossible due to circumstances beyond its control, including severe weather, government measures, failure of infrastructure or communications, sudden safety risks, illness, transport restrictions, aviation restrictions or the non-attributable unavailability of an essential specialist.
17.2 DDA reports the force majeure as soon as possible and seeks reasonably to limit its effects. The parties discuss postponement, adjustment or termination. Work performed, reserved capacity and costs incurred are settled in accordance with the quotation or engagement confirmation.
Article 18 · Changes to these terms
18.1 DDA may amend these terms for future instructions. The version provided when the agreement was concluded continues to apply to that instruction, unless the parties agree a change in writing or a change in law requires immediate adjustment.
18.2 The current version states a version number and date and is made available on the website in a format that can be stored.
Article 19 · Governing law and disputes
19.1 Dutch law governs the agreement.
19.2 The parties first seek to resolve a dispute by consultation, without any statutory limitation or forfeiture period being lost as a result.
19.3 A dispute is submitted to the Dutch court that has jurisdiction under the law. A consumer retains all mandatory protection available under the law of their habitual residence and the rules on jurisdiction.
19.4 In the event of translation, the Dutch text prevails unless mandatory law provides otherwise.
Model withdrawal form for consumers
Use this form only if, as a consumer, you wish to withdraw from an agreement concluded at a distance or off business premises. You may also send any other unambiguous statement. To: Dutch Detective Agency, Rotterdam, the Netherlands · info@dutchdetectiveagency.com · +31 (0)85 060 0100
I hereby give notice that I withdraw from our agreement concerning the following service: ……………………
Date on which the agreement was concluded: ……………………
Consumer's name: ……………………
Consumer's address: ……………………
Email address: ……………………
Date: ……………………
Signature, only where this form is submitted on paper: ……………………
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