Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there is any regulation of heir hunters in the way they operate or the fees they charge beneficiaries; if not, whether they have plans to introduce such regulations; and, if not, why not.

There is no regulation in place that specifically covers the way probate researchers operate or the fees they charge beneficiaries.

Relationships between probate researchers and their clients are normally contractual arrangements and subject to contract law.

The Government is planning to introduce regulation of the activity of conducting private investigations, surveillance or inquiries, which could bring some probate and asset researchers into scope for statutory licensing by the Security Industry Authority.