Who we are
Fraser and Fraser is an expert in the fields of genealogy, family tree building, beneficiary tracing and deceased estate distribution, sometimes referred to as “Heir Hunting”.
Our skillset also means we’re perfectly equipped to reunite assets with people who haven’t passed away and so we’ve now established an asset reunification department to focus on this aspect of the business.
Although this is a “new” team, Fraser and Fraser has always carried out such work as part of its existing probate department. The new section is still based in our London HQ and staffed by people with many years of experience, who have completed the same training as the rest of the team and are managed by the same partners.
The asset recovery department is committed to delivering the same level of professionalism and dedication that has been part of Fraser and Fraser’s business for the past 50 years.
In that time, the company has solved more than 20,000 cases and identified more than 120,000 beneficiaries. We now employ more than 70 people, most of whom have qualifications ranging from university degrees to membership of professional bodies such as the Professional Paralegal Register (PPR) and the Association of Probate Researchers (APR).
Fraser and Fraser is perhaps best known for its appearances on BBC1’s Heir Hunters, where it was the only firm to appear in every series. The programme has helped bring transparency to an industry in which we are proud to be a market leader.
In 2019 Fraser and Fraser was awarded the title of Paralegal Business of the Year at the prestigious National Paralegal Awards.
What we do
At Fraser and Fraser we take huge pride in our ability to provide accurate, detailed research with speed and efficiency.
One of the most established firms in the business, we have expanded across the world to take our award-winning approach into new jurisdictions.
As the market has expanded we have been integral to promoting stricter regulation within the industry, which led us to create the Association of Probate Researchers (APR).
The APR aims to raise standards and offer protection to beneficiaries from hobby genealogists and enthusiastic amateurs. Many other well-established companies have also joined the APR, which is recognised by the Professional Paralegal Register (PPR).
Professionalism
We at Fraser and Fraser take a lot of pride in our ability to provide accurate, detailed research and at speed. Being one of the longest standing firms in the industry, we have excelled in our practices and have expanded all over the world. We build productive and entrepreneurial relationships, both in the public sector and in the private, ensuring that all our results are reliable and benefit all our clients. As the market grows bigger, we realise that there is need for stricter regulation within the industry, which has encouraged us to create the Association of Probate Researchers (APR). APR aims to raise standards and offer protection to beneficiaries from hobby genealogists and enthusiast amateurs. Many other well-established companies have joined the APR regulatory body and are proud to say APR is recognised by the Professional Paralegal Register (PPR).
Infrastructure
Probate research is at our core but over time we have been able to expand our business in a very niche market. We have a vast collection of public records onsite for quick and effective research some of which include; Birth, Marriages, Deaths, Adoptions indexes, Immigration papers, Overseas Voters plus others. As a long standing, well known business, we pride ourselves in the global reputation as one of the ‘go to’ firms. With all this in mind, we are ready to immediately take on any task at hand. With access to various records both online and within our onsite library, we have become very independent and can offer you a very cost-effective solution to your goals. Fraser and Fraser have offices in Europe, a network of agents built up over years, who are on hand to help with record searches overseas. Any overseas research we conduct or third party agent used, will be paid for by Fraser and Fraser as part of a standard fee agreement, you will not have to fund this research yourself.
Record management
We are one of the longest standing firm in this industry having been established since 1969. In many cases we have been at the forefront of revolutionising probate research and genealogy research techniques, always adapting to the modern eras and more recently, digitising old records for easy and quick referencing. We strictly adhere to all of the legal practices and legislation within our industry, such as, data protection GDPR, intestacy laws, and estate distribution; ensuring that fair and competent service is provided to all our clients.
GDPR & Data Protection
We are registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office and are on the Data
Protection register, number Z6407527. We do not use or sell any information we hold, except for the reason for which the information is obtained. For more information Click here.
ACCREDITATIONS
Association of Probate Researchers (APR)
Since August 2016 all of our UK and US case managers and Partners (Neil and Andrew Fraser) are now regulated by APR. All members have a practising certificate and follow best practise methods.
The probate research industry is unregulated and APR was set up as a voluntary, self-regulatory body which aims to raise standards and to offer protection to beneficiaries from hobby genealogists and amateurs with very little or no legal training and experience
APR is a recognised body of the Professional Paralegal Register (PPR)
ISO 9001 and ISO 27001
Independently audited twice a year for continuing compliance with international standards of Quality Management (ISO 9001) and Information Security Management (ISO 27001) certification.
Assessed by external auditors to this standard, ISO 9001 guarantees our commitment to quality, meeting customer requirements and continual improvements
ISO 27001
With ISO 27001 clients will be satisfied in the knowledge that we operate a Management System that will endeavour to secure information provided by you and managed by us
Financial Conduct Authority
Our insurance mediation is monitored and regulated by the FCA.
Ensures our work is carried out accordance with current legal requirements
Registered number: 472919
Association of Professional Genealogists
Neil Fraser is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists.
Every member of the APG signs a code of professional ethics
The only globalised association for people working in probate research
We are one of the longest serving overseas members
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Andrew Fraser, our in-house building surveyor, is a long standing member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Expertise for assisting with property issues
Ensures our work continues until an estate is distributed
Expert Witnesses
The Expert Witness Directory has approved both Neil and Andrew Fraser as experts.
School Sites Act
After taking a case to the House of Lords over who was entitled to an estate, Fraser and Fraser won the case. Five Law Lords ruled unanimously that the successors of the donors of land for a school site were entitled to the proceeds when the school closed.
The only ever genealogy firm to take a case to the House of Lords
Shows our meticulous attention to detail and justifies our methodology