Practical and emotional support before, during and after your family court hearings.
Most of the work happens before you get to court. We help you complete and check your forms, write your statements, organise your evidence into a bundle, and plan what you want to say.
We also explain what kind of hearing it is, who will be there and what the judge is likely to decide on the day.
With the court’s permission, your McKenzie Friend sits beside you. They take notes, help you find the right papers, and can quietly suggest points to raise or questions to ask.
You speak for yourself. The judge will guide the hearing and give you time to explain your position.
We go through what was decided, what any order means, and what you need to do next, including deadlines for documents or the date of the next hearing.
You can ask to at any hearing. The judge decides at the start of the hearing, and will usually allow it unless there is a good reason not to.
No. Many people in family court represent themselves, and judges are used to guiding litigants in person through the process.
Your court bundle or papers, any orders already made, a notebook and pen, and a short list of the points you want to make.
McKenzie Friend Support Ltd is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation or legal advice. A McKenzie Friend supports people who are representing themselves in court.
If you’re unsure whether a McKenzie friend is right for your case, you can contact us for guidance.
I received invaluable support from McKenzie Friend Support during a very difficult time. Their knowledge and emotional support helped me through a very complex case over the past 18 months in my Child Arrangement Order and Financial Settlement, however, even until the end of the process, they were there every step of the way.
McKenzie Friend Support provided exceptional legal support and advice through my Non-Fault Divorce Application. They assisted with completing and checking my D81 and out-of-court Financial Settlement Agreement
I had no idea what to expect when I started the divorce process. However, with the help of McKenzie Friend Support, I was able to navigate through it with their guidance. My case was fairly complicated, involving a business, houses, and a short marriage, but McKenzie Friend Support helped me manage all the forms and the court process, making it as stress-free as possible.