These Regulations extend the jurisdiction of the Legal Services Ombudsman by providing that the provisions of sections 21 to 25 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (which make provision for the Legal Services Ombudsman), as modified, shall have effect in relation to the investigation by the Ombudsman of allegations relating to complaints which are made to an approved body and are concerned with the provision of probate services.

An approved body is a professional or other body approved by the Secretary of State under Schedule 9 to the 1990 Act. Once approved, a body may grant exemption from the provisions of section 23(1) of the Solicitors Act 1974 (unqualified person not to prepare papers for probate etc) to a person who is one of its members and who satisfies the criteria in section 55 of the 1990 Act.