How I Can Help

Practical Support for Litigants in Person

Representing yourself in Family Court can feel daunting, particularly when you’re unfamiliar with court procedures, paperwork and hearings.

ILS Yorkshire provides independent McKenzie Friend support to people representing themselves in Family Court across Yorkshire. Based in Beverley, I offer practical assistance with case preparation, document organisation, understanding court procedures and attending hearings where permitted.

Whether you need help preparing for a particular hearing or support throughout your proceedings, the assistance is tailored to your circumstances. You remain in control of your case and all decisions.

Initial Consultation

I offer a free, no-obligation initial consultation to discuss your circumstances and understand what practical support you may need.

During our conversation, we can:

Discuss your Family Court proceedings and any upcoming hearings.
Identify the paperwork, preparation or practical assistance you need.
Explain how I can support you as a McKenzie Friend.
Discuss the available support options and any associated fees.

The consultation is an opportunity to ask questions and decide whether ILS Yorkshire is right for you. There is no obligation to proceed.

Case and Document Organisation

Family Court proceedings often involve substantial paperwork, court orders and deadlines. Keeping everything organised can make the process easier to manage and help you prepare for hearings.

I can provide practical assistance with:

Organising case documents — arranging correspondence, statements, court orders and other paperwork into a clear structure.
Preparing court bundles — helping you organise and format documents in accordance with the court’s directions.
Understanding court directions — helping you identify what the court has requested and when documents need to be submitted.
Tracking important dates — maintaining a clear record of hearings, filing deadlines and other key dates.
Reviewing documents for clarity — helping you check presentation, structure and completeness before submission.

You remain responsible for the accuracy of your documents, their contents and their submission to the court. My role is to provide practical organisational assistance, not legal representation.

Understanding the Court Process

Family Court procedures can be unfamiliar, particularly if you are representing yourself for the first time. Understanding the stages of proceedings and what the court expects can help you feel more prepared.

I can provide practical support with:

Understanding court procedures — explaining general processes and what typically happens at different stages of a Family Court case.
Preparing for different hearings — helping you understand the purpose and usual format of hearings, including directions hearings and final hearings.
Understanding court terminology — explaining commonly used terms and procedural language in straightforward English.
Following court directions — helping you identify the practical steps and deadlines set out in court orders.

My role is to provide general procedural information and practical assistance. I do not provide legal advice, regulated legal services or legal representation. Where specialist legal advice is needed, you should consult a suitably qualified legal professional.

Hearing Preparation

Preparing for a Family Court hearing can feel overwhelming, especially if you are representing yourself. Having your documents, notes and questions organised beforehand can help you approach the hearing with greater confidence.

I can provide practical assistance with:

Reviewing hearing arrangements — helping you understand when and where the hearing will take place and what you may need to bring.
Organising your paperwork — ensuring relevant documents, court orders and notes are easy to locate.
Preparing key points and questions — helping you organise the matters you wish to raise with the court.
Understanding the hearing format — explaining general procedures and what typically happens during a hearing.
Planning practical arrangements — helping you prepare for attending court in person or joining a remote hearing.

My aim is to help you feel organised and prepared. You remain responsible for presenting your case and deciding what you wish to say to the court.

Court Attendance

Attending Family Court without a solicitor can be daunting. Having someone alongside you to provide practical assistance can help you feel more supported and organised during proceedings.

People representing themselves in court are ordinarily entitled to reasonable assistance from a McKenzie Friend. Subject to the court’s authority, I can provide the following support during a hearing:

Accompany you to court — providing quiet, practical support during the hearing.
Take notes — helping you keep a record of important points, directions and decisions.
Help organise documents — assisting you in locating relevant paperwork when needed.
Offer quiet guidance — helping you follow proceedings and organise the points you wish to raise.

A McKenzie Friend does not automatically have the right to address the court, question witnesses or conduct litigation on your behalf. Speaking for you requires specific permission from the court, and conducting litigation is a separate reserved legal activity.

You remain responsible for presenting your case and making your own decisions. My role is to support you, not to act as your legal representative.

Ongoing Case Support

Family Court proceedings can involve several hearings, deadlines and periods of preparation. ILS Yorkshire can provide practical support throughout your case, helping you stay organised and understand the next steps.

Depending on your circumstances, I can assist with:

Managing case paperwork — keeping documents, correspondence and court orders organised as proceedings develop.
Tracking deadlines and directions — helping you identify important dates and practical tasks arising from court orders.
Preparing for future hearings — reviewing arrangements, organising documents and preparing notes or questions.
Support between hearings — helping you understand procedural correspondence and prepare for the next stage of your case.

Support can be arranged for a particular task, an individual hearing or over a longer period. There is no requirement to commit to ongoing assistance.

You remain responsible for managing your case and making decisions about how to proceed.

The Limits of the McKenzie Friend Role

A McKenzie Friend provides practical assistance to someone representing themselves in court. This can include helping with paperwork, preparing for hearings, taking notes and offering quiet support during proceedings.

There are important limits to this role. A McKenzie Friend does not automatically have the right to speak on your behalf, question witnesses or conduct litigation. ILS Yorkshire is not a solicitors’ firm and does not provide regulated legal services or legal representation.

You remain responsible for your case, including decisions, documents and presenting your position to the court. Where specialist legal advice or representation is needed, you should consult an appropriately qualified legal professional.

For a fuller explanation, read What Is a McKenzie Friend?

Clear Information About Fees

ILS Yorkshire is an independent, fee-charging McKenzie Friend service. I believe clients should understand the likely cost of support before making any commitment.

Your initial consultation is free and without obligation. During this conversation, we can discuss the assistance you need and the fees that would apply.

Depending on the nature of the work, support may be provided at an agreed hourly rate or for a fixed fee.

All fees will be explained and agreed before work begins, so you can make an informed decision without unexpected charges.

What Support Do You Need?

Every Family Court case is different, and the practical support you need will depend on your circumstances.

Whether you’re preparing for your first hearing, organising court documents or looking for support throughout your proceedings, ILS Yorkshire can help you understand the options available.

I offer a free, no-obligation initial consultation to discuss your situation, explain how I can help and answer your questions.

Based in Beverley, I provide McKenzie Friend support across East Yorkshire and the surrounding region.

Get in touch to arrange an initial conversation.

Important Information

ILS Yorkshire provides independent, practical McKenzie Friend support to people representing themselves in Family Court in England and Wales.

I am not a solicitor or barrister, and I do not provide regulated legal services or legal representation.

My role is to assist you with preparation, organisation and understanding court procedures. You remain responsible for your case and all decisions made during proceedings.

The court retains discretion over the assistance a McKenzie Friend may provide. Where specialist legal advice is required, you should seek guidance from an appropriately qualified legal professional.