McKenzie Friend Service
by McKenzie Law Partners Limited
Registered Office: Henstaff Court – Llantrisant Road – Cardiff – CF72 8NG | Company number 08433214
Supporting separated parents with Child Arrangements Orders. Support through Court.
Child Arrangements Order (C100) legal advice — Family Law –Private Mediation– Non Molestation Order — Divorce — Friendly Law Professional — Court Support
What’s on this page:
- What is a McKenzie Friend?
- Which Services do I offer
- Should I apply for a Child Arrangements Order?
- What does the Service cost?
- Court Appearances
- What geographic areas do you cover?
- How do I begin this process?
- How do I pay your fees?
- Useful Links
What is a McKenzie Friend?
A McKenzie friend is a person who has knowledge, understanding and training in helping separated parents through the H.M. Courts process. See our blog for help. We are a firm of professional McKenzie Friends
Cambridge and Ely based McKenzie Friend specialising in Child Arrangements Orders.
Available Services:
- Intermediary Private Mediation
- Filling in and completing Court forms
- Help you to understand how the CAO process works
- Help with establishing and setting out your case
- Case management
- Help you to respond to opposing Counsel letters and disclosures
- Prepare you for and manage your expectations with CAFCASS (Court Social Worker)
- Attend the Court with you
- Take notes at Court Hearings
- Offer advice to you during Court Hearings
The only thing we cannot do (unless the Judge gives rights of audience) is to address the Judge in the Courtroom on your behalf.
You should always be prepared to make your case and answer questions put to you by the Judge or the opposing Counsel.
Should I apply for a Child Arrangements Order?
First consider whether we can support you using our Intermediary Private Mediation services. [Click Here]
Sometimes separated parents can remain amicable and come to agreements with one another as to how to share care for their children.
And sometimes they cannot.
The Family Court prefers that parents try to compromise and come to suitable arrangements for the best interests of the children. The Court will act ‘in extremis’ (when required or forced to) and enforce a definitive outcome.
And it will always be with the Childrens’ best interests at heart.
One should understand, when considering a CAO, that it is a process, not just a hearing. There will be a number of hearings and the process will take anything from six to twelve months. It could take longer in certain areas and where cases are complex.
So it is important that you are prepared for the Child Arrangements Order experience and to manage your expectations for possible outcomes.
What does the Service cost?
We offer an initial consultation by telephone or Skype which is free of charge and lasts up to 45 minutes.
We charge per hour for follow-up meetings and for everything we are asked to do on your behalf. Time is calculated in fifteen minute increments which are rounded up.
This includes:
- Consultations
- Form completion service
- Case management
- Drafting ‘Position’ and ‘Directions’ Statements for Court Hearings
Court Appearances
If you require us to attend the Court with you, there is a fixed charge per morning or per afternoon session. This includes time before the hearing so that we can work together preparing for the hearing.
IMPORTANT: Please book your appointment to start 1 HOUR BEFORE your scheduled hearing time. This allows us time to discuss your case before Court.
What geographic areas do you cover?
For Court, we cover the East of England (Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk).
For everything else, we offer our support, throughout the UK.
How do I begin this process?
If you would like to learn more, please use the contact form. We will email you back and arrange for a free initial consultation or you can book your appointment here.
How do I pay your fees?
We will invoice you weekly, for work done — and payment is due by Bank Transfer. We can also accept Card Payments through Stripe Merchant Services.
When booking through this website, payment is taken at the time of booking by Stripe.
Payment is required at the time of booking and in advance of attendance for Court days.
Useful Links
- Private Mediation
- Families Need Fathers (FNF)
- Women’s Aid
- Apply for a Child Arrangements Order
- The Children Act 1989
- Family Procedure Rules (Practice Directions)
- Help with paying Court Filing Fees (for benefits claimants)
- Application for an Occupation Order / Non Molestation Order
- Resolution
- McKenzie Law Partners — Affordable Family Law