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).
Reviews
I filled out my details using the https://www.findamckenziefriend.com/ website as I had been quoted an extortionate amount of money by a family lawyer to act for me in relation to a name change case at the Family Courts.
I received a couple of responses to my query one of which I disregarded and the other was Ibrahim Sheikh. Ibrahim contacted me to carry out an initial consultation and from the first contact he was very informative, clear as to costs and demonstrated a clear and concise understanding of my case and the way in which he could assist me.
At no point did I feel pressured into using Ibrahim's services and during the course of the case, all work carried out on my behalf was documented and broken down into a fee schedule, giving me complete visibility of how time was being spent.
I would highly recommend engaging Ibrahim to act on your behalf as I was very worried about how to convey my thoughts and feelings in a professional and legal way. Ibrahim allayed all my fears and was able to reassure me and advise on the best way to word documents in order to put across the very best possible case at Court.
Ibrahim was always on the end of the phone if needed and I am very pleased that I was able to work with him and achieve the outcome that I wanted
Ibrahim is extremely accommodating with a calm and reassuring manner. He is able to convey advice in clear terms and immediately put me at ease.
Ibrahim is transparent on terms and engagement requirements with an comprehensive knowledge of the law and process, backed up by experience. I would highly recommend him and felt confident that my issues would be expertly addressed.
He was able to direct me on an ancillary matter which was an added bonus.
Me and my wife are going thru a bad time with the care of our grand children and there parents reached out and spoken to various people with not much light at the end of the tunnel solicitors were miles to exspensive and could not afford it, was like are backs was against the wall.
Then we met Ibrahim Sheikh and after speaking to Ibrahim the wight was lifted from our heads at lasts we some light he reasured he can help us and after face to face meetings he was very sensitive to our neeeds and he realy cared and a pure gentlman and the cost of Ibrahim was miles cheaper then a solicitor but dont let that fool you because is expiriance is outstanding and i a one hour free with a solicitor but Ibrahim came out on top with knowledge and understanding..
Thank you Ibrahim.