Welcome to
McKenzie McKenzie
Solicitors and Barristers are expensive – and securing Legal Aid is becoming increasingly difficult – but representing yourself in court can be a daunting prospect.
That’s where McKenzie Friends come in, our nationwide network of McKenzie Friends can guide and advise you through the process.
Want to know more?
What is a McKenzie Friend?
Anyone who is mentally competent is entitled to represent themselves in court (they do not need to employ a solicitor or barrister) and if they choose to do this, they are termed a Litigant in Person (LIP).
A LIP may be accompanied by a friend; this common law right goes back nearly 200 years
“Any person, whether he be a professional man or not, may attend (court) as a friend of either party, may take notes, may quietly make suggestions, and give advice.”
(Lord Chief Justice Tenterden ,1831)
In the case of McKenzie v McKenzie in 1970, this right was challenged, and upheld, giving rise to the term now used: “McKenzie Friend.” This is not an automatic right, but a judge would only refuse a LIP the help of a McKenzie Friend for a good reason.
More and more people are conducting their own cases in court, without a solicitor or barrister, often because they cannot afford lawyers’ fees, and Legal Aid to pay these fees is becoming harder to obtain.
Representing yourself in court is not as daunting as it may sound, especially if you have the help of a McKenzie Friend to assist in preparing the case beforehand and to sit along-side you in court.
Free Initial Consultation
Our free initial consultation is usually by video or telephone call – this usually takes only 30 minutes.
Following the initial free consultation, our costs are fixed at £75* per hour plus travel expenses – much cheaper than the hourly rates for a solicitor or barrister – which commonly range between £150 – £600.
You have nothing to lose – book your FREE, no obligation consultation now.
*exclusive of VAT
Book Your Free Consultation
How can a McKenzie Friend help?
What a McKenzie Friend May Do:
- Provide moral support for the LIP
- Take notes
- Help with case papers
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Quietly give advice on:
- points of law or procedure
- issues that the litigant may wish to raise in court
- questions the litigant may wish to ask witnesses.
What a McKenzie Friend May Not Do:
- A McKenzie Friend has no right to act on behalf of a LIP. He may not act as the LIP’s agent in relation to the proceedings nor manage the case outside court, for example, by signing court documents
- A McKenzie Friend is not entitled to address the court, nor examine any witnesses. However, if requested and in certain circumstances, a judge may grant a McKenzie Friend what is termed “right of audience” in a particular case. The McKenzie Friend would then be allowed to address the court and conduct the litigant’s case for him, as a solicitor or barrister would normally do.
Need Some Help & Advice?
Request a call back from the team at McKenzie McKenzie
Help And Advice
Please see our helpful advice section below in areas of mediation, divorce, childcare arrangements, child maintenance and getting the best financial arrangements to suit your needs. Please click on the each of the areas for family law below to get up to date advice and assistance from your McKenzie Friends.
Divorce
If you decide to do a DIY divorce rather than be represented by a solicitor then the court will refer to you as a ‘litigant in person (LIP)’.
Financial
There is no hard and fast rule. The Court will apply a number of statutory factors which include the age, income earning capacity, responsibilities of the parties, their needs, the length of the marriage and the parties’ resources including their pensions. The interests of minor children always come first so that providing accommodation for them will be a priority.
Mediation
Family Mediation helps couples who are separated or divorced – or in the process of separating or divorcing – reach agreement about the important issues that need to be addressed if couples are to achieve a fair and legal separation.
Child Maintenance
Child maintenance is about providing help with a child’s everyday living costs. This includes things like food and clothes and helping to provide a home for your child or children.
Childcare Arrangement
A child arrangements order sets put with whom a child is to live with, spend time with or have contact with.
Become A McKenzie Friend
Become a McKenzie Friend – join our nationwide network of McKenzie Friends and become part of the team that helps clients prepare for their court appearance by providing support, advising on points of law, raising issues and questioning witnesses (where allowed).
