A McKenzie Friend is someone who provides practical support to a person representing themselves in court, known as a litigant in person. In Family Court proceedings, a McKenzie Friend can help you organise paperwork, prepare for hearings, take notes and explain the court process.
You do not have to face Family Court proceedings without support. Whether your case concerns child arrangements, financial matters or another family issue, a McKenzie Friend can help you feel more organised, prepared and confident while you remain responsible for your own case and decisions.
At ILS Yorkshire, I provide independent McKenzie Friend support to people across Yorkshire, including Beverley, Hull, York and surrounding areas.
What Can a McKenzie Friend Do?
A McKenzie Friend can provide practical assistance to someone representing themselves in Family Court. This support can be particularly valuable if you are unfamiliar with court procedures or find the process overwhelming.
A McKenzie Friend can normally help you:
- Prepare and organise documents — helping you arrange paperwork, statements and information for court hearings.
- Understand court procedures — providing general information about the process and what to expect at different stages.
- Take notes during hearings — helping you keep a clear record of what happens and any important points raised.
- Offer quiet advice and support — helping you follow proceedings and consider the points you wish to make.
- Prepare questions and notes — helping you organise your thoughts before a hearing.
A person representing themselves in court is ordinarily entitled to reasonable assistance from a McKenzie Friend, including during Family Court hearings. However, the judge retains authority to refuse or restrict that assistance where there are sufficient reasons to do so.
You remain responsible for presenting your case and making your own decisions.
What Can’t a McKenzie Friend Do?
Although a McKenzie Friend can provide valuable practical assistance, there are important limits to their role.
A McKenzie Friend does not automatically have the right to:
- Speak on your behalf in court — addressing the judge or making oral submissions requires the court to grant a right of audience.
- Question witnesses — a McKenzie Friend cannot ordinarily question or cross-examine witnesses on your behalf.
- Conduct litigation on your behalf — a McKenzie Friend cannot take over the formal conduct of your case, including activities reserved to authorised legal professionals.
- Act as your solicitor or barrister — a McKenzie Friend does not become your legal representative simply by assisting you.
The court retains authority over the assistance a McKenzie Friend may provide. Permission to address the court is exceptional and should never be assumed.
At ILS Yorkshire, I provide practical support with case preparation, paperwork and hearings. I do not act as a solicitor or barrister, conduct litigation, provide legal advice or offer courtroom advocacy.
If you need legal advice or representation, you should consult a suitably qualified legal professional.
Do You Need Permission to Have a McKenzie Friend?
In most Family Court proceedings in England and Wales, someone representing themselves has a general right to receive reasonable assistance from a McKenzie Friend.
You should tell the court that you wish to have a McKenzie Friend with you. The judge may ask who they are and what assistance they intend to provide.
You do not normally need to make a formal application simply to receive quiet assistance from a McKenzie Friend. However, the court can refuse or restrict that assistance where there are good reasons to do so, such as concerns about fairness or the proper administration of justice.
Family Court hearings are often private. A McKenzie Friend’s attendance does not make the hearing public, and confidentiality must be respected.
A McKenzie Friend does not automatically have the right to address the court, question witnesses or conduct litigation on your behalf. Permission to speak in court is a separate matter that requires the judge to grant a right of audience. Conducting litigation is a distinct activity subject to separate legal restrictions.
Can You Use a McKenzie Friend Instead of a Solicitor?
A McKenzie Friend can be an option for people who are representing themselves in Family Court and would benefit from practical assistance.
Some people choose to represent themselves because they cannot afford a solicitor. Others prefer to manage their own case but want support with preparation, paperwork and understanding court procedures.
A McKenzie Friend can help you feel better prepared and more organised, but their role is different from that of a solicitor or barrister.
A qualified solicitor can provide regulated legal services and, where authorised, conduct litigation on your behalf. A McKenzie Friend does not have those professional rights simply by acting as a McKenzie Friend.
You can also seek advice from a solicitor about particular aspects of your case while continuing to represent yourself with practical support from a McKenzie Friend.
The important distinction is that a McKenzie Friend provides assistance, not legal representation. If your case involves complex legal issues, safeguarding concerns or significant financial consequences, obtaining advice from a qualified legal professional may be particularly important.
How Much Does a McKenzie Friend Cost?
McKenzie Friends may provide support voluntarily or charge a fee for their services. There is no standard national fee, so costs vary depending on the provider and the assistance required.
Some people need help preparing documents or organising their case before a hearing. Others may want practical support during a Family Court hearing or throughout several stages of proceedings.
At ILS Yorkshire, your initial consultation is free and without obligation. We can discuss your circumstances, the practical assistance you may need and whether my service is appropriate for you. Any fees will be explained and agreed before paid work begins.
Contact ILS Yorkshire to discuss your situation and the support you may need.
How ILS Yorkshire Can Help
ILS Yorkshire provides independent McKenzie Friend support for people representing themselves in Family Court across East Yorkshire and the surrounding region.
Based in Beverley, I offer a personal, practical approach to helping you prepare for court proceedings and understand what to expect.
Depending on your circumstances, I can assist with organising documents, preparing for hearings, understanding court procedures and providing quiet support during hearings where permitted.
I understand that Family Court proceedings can be stressful, particularly when you are representing yourself. My aim is to help you approach each stage feeling more organised, informed and prepared.
If you are looking for McKenzie Friend support in Beverley, Hull, York or elsewhere in Yorkshire, please get in touch to discuss your circumstances.
Contact ILS Yorkshire
If you’re representing yourself in Family Court and would benefit from practical support, ILS Yorkshire is here to help.
Whether you’re preparing for your first hearing or already involved in proceedings, we can discuss your circumstances and the assistance you may need.
Telephone: 07761 657514
Email: hello@ilsyorkshire.co.uk
Alternatively, visit the Contact Us page to get in touch.
An initial conversation can help establish whether McKenzie Friend support is appropriate for your situation.
