Solicitors & Barristers are not a legal requirement

That is why the Family Law Clinic can arrange to attend any County Court with you in England & Wales at very short notice

We can prepare you for your case and explain the outcome and what to do next

We can ensure that you know about all of the key stages within the process and that you meet deadlines set by the Court

We call that type of Court help our 'McKenzie Friend' service

What our McKenzie Friends can do for you:

Our McKenzie Friends can coach and prepare you for your day in court, and come in with you.   In what situations? 

Family and matrimonial: 

Children cases,  cohabitation/property disputes, money claims, divorce and money disputes.  At any time we have access to 100-200 Mackenzie Friends who can cover any County Court in England & Wales, even at short notice.

This is not an exact science,  but a good McKenzie Friend can greatly assist a nervous or emotional client to cope in intimidating circumstances.


Mortgage /Repossessions:

If you are the Defendant, for a fixed fee, we can also arrange for Financial McKenzie Friends in the following types of cases:  mortgage arrears, mortgage possession, credit and debit card debt, loans and other debt matters.

Defending Mortgage possessions - Fixed fee option

For a fixed fee, we can also arrange for Financial McKenzie Friends to be present in mortgage possession cases, applications and other short hearings in chambers at any County Court. 

Typically, the applicant will be the lender - a national bank or building society,  and will be represented by a barrister appointed by a firm of Solicitors.

A Mackenzie Friend does not have the automatic right to speak to a judge or opposing Solicitor/barrister directly, but may respond to direct questions from a judge. Their main role is to quietly take notes and prompt their clients on what questions to ask and answers to provide, if they need this assistance.

All of our regional Legal Consultants are all competent trained McKenzie Friends.

ON AVERAGE, one of our McKenzie Friends will cost £190.00 plus travel time to be with you at court.(ie on average two hours @ £95 plus travel time there and back).

Your McKenzie Friend will normally be your regional adviser. Often the cost depends on how much waiting around there is at Court, and whether the Court hears your case first or last on the day of the Hearing.  We recommend that you email us using the form below to ask who the Mckenzie Friend is in your area.

Many of you will probably recall that whilst sitting alone before a County Court Judge or accompanied by a McKenzie Friend, that the judge told you that you were entitled to be represented by a Solicitor, or the judge inferred that you would be better off with a Solicitor instead of a McKenzie Friend.

Yes, if cost were no object at all, then quite so, you may not have turned up at Court without a Solicitor.  And, yes, if honesty, integrity, reliability and customer service were not at the top of your list, then yes again, to a Solicitor.

Why do judges make these comments?   Most County Court judges are practising or non-practising Solicitors or Barristers.  That we ordinary mortals simply cannot afford a Solicitor for one day, let alone to run the entire course of a case, simply doesnt enter their minds.  As Solicitors, Barrister and Judges they are used to receiving enormous fees, so they assume that everyone must be able to afford them.  Recommending their own 'club' is also high on their priority list.

So, when the judge tells you about your right to a Solicitor,  please do not assume that you or your McKenzie Friend are being brutally criticised.  Just smile politely, and soldier on!

WARNING! 

OUR MCKENZIE FRIEND SERVICES ARE HIGHLY RESPECTED BY OUR CLIENTS AND IN THE FAMILY COURTS.  WE ARE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ANY OTHER 'MCKENZIE FRIEND' OTHER THAN THOSE LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE.  ANY SO-CALLED 'MCKENZIE FRIEND'  PURPORTING TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAMILY LAW CLINIC OR FALSELY CLAIMING TO BE WORKING UNDER THE BANNER OF THE FAMILY LAW CLINIC IS COMMITTING A CRIMINAL OFFENCE AND SHOULD BE REPORTED TO OUR HEAD OFFICE IMMEDIATELY.  WE WILL NOT TOLERATE FALSE CLAIMS.