Frequently Asked Questions

Are you practising lawyers?

No. Although we may have legal qualifications and may be non-practising lawyers and/or have other important professional qualifications that are highly valued in the family law system. We do have many years of hands on experience within the family law courts in a variety of important roles. Also, our knowledge is supplemented from extensive experience of assisting others through the family law system over many years. We may also have personal experience of the system. We know what works and our aim is to get you through the system successfully and as quickly as possible in the circumstances.

Do you have access to legal authorities, books, research and the latest case law?

Yes. We may have similar resources to what many lawyers have and more than some.

What are you going to cost?

Our services are provided on a Fixed Fee basis for the vast majority of our clients which may reduce the hourly rate considerably. Our hourly rate is £58.00 per hour plus Vat, please see our Fees page and our Terms & Conditions page for further details.

Will you be allowed in to court with me?

Yes. As a McKenzie Friend we will sit next to you in court providing quiet advice and support as necessary.

Can you represent me at court and speak for me?

Only at the discretion of the court can we 'advocate' for you (speak for you in court). This is termed 'Rights of Audience' (ROA) and has to be permitted by the judge. At times permission for a client's McKenzie Friend to have ROA is granted but this does depend on the individual judge and the circumstances of the case. Normally ROA would not be given.

I am nervous, mutter and stumble over my words when in court, can you help?

We can help by providing written notes in court and talking quietly to you when necessary to remind you of points you wanted to make. Most people are understandably nervous; particularly the first time but we will keep you focused and support you. Our well crafted position statements we draft for you will assist in ensuring the court understands your view and aims.

Can you help me with my statement and other documents for court?

Yes. We can assist you in drafting documents such as position and witness statements, skeleton arguments and submissions which may reference relevant case law and other authorities. Judges (e.g. Circuit Judge QC and Lord Justice's) have commented positively e.g. "excellent" "beautifully crafted" regarding our submissions and skeleton arguments on behalf of our clients.

Can I arrange a meeting with you to discuss my case?

Yes. We can offer an assessment and advice session which will allow an in-depth discussion of your case to enable us to give you an informed view of the options available and the risks of any course of action.

I want to limit or stop the other parent spending time with our children, will you help me?

We passionately believe in doing what is best for children and we believe that in the vast majority of cases the parents are the best people to decide. The Family Courts will determine any significant issues if the parents are not able to do so, if matters come to their attention.

We assist mothers and fathers who are trying to achieve the best outcome for their children, we certainly do not judge parents but we will as part of our service provide our thoughts which you of course may or may not take up in part or in full.

Research supports the view that shared parenting and significant parenting time by both parents as the circumstances allow are best for children and should be carefully considered.

If there are serious risks of harm to children which could be physical, emotional and/or psychological, then we believe children should be protected from such harm.

What should I be aware of when selecting a McKenzie Friend or lawyer

Crucially, know who your McKenzie Friend or lawyer is. You are dealing with your children and personal finances, it is too important to take chances with.

Google their name and ensure there are no skeletons in the cupboard, treat with caution any excuses for negative reports, particularly press reports.

If they do not specialise solely in family law but also list other areas of law then they will simply be a jack of all trades and master of none. Family law is a complex area of law in many respects and nobody is able to provide a thorough service for their clients in family matters if they are regularly involved in other areas of law.

Do not be taken in by websites that say 'We' but do not list and provide details of their McKenzie Friends or lawyers with a summary of their relevant background, experience and qualifications. A lack of openness and transparency could be a warning sign.

Be careful of McKenzie Friends or lawyers who have a large ego, they will be putting themselves first before your case.

Similarly be very careful of those with an axe to grind as their negative attitude could very well affect your case adversely.

We would suggest some caution in choosing a McKenzie Friend whose experience is simply the product of a short course e.g. day course - As it takes time and experience of court outside of your own case to build up sufficient knowledge and ability to assist parent's effectively.

Transparency about fixed fees and hourly rates on websites is also an indication that you are not going to be hit with additional bills.

We've got the whole country covered

WHY CHOOSE FAMILY LAW DECISIONS

Effective assistance in court
Specialist in family law information
1,200+ family cases
Radically cheaper than traditional lawyers
Skilled work on documents
Experience & qualifications
Assessment & advice sessions Fixed fees
Phone/email assistance

Colin Brealey has been a massive support throughout our recent dealings with the family courts.

My case began as a relatively simple one, seeking to extend my shared residence of my children to include one midweek overnight stay during term time, rather than simply taking them out for tea after school and returning them to their mother.

Things became more complex when false allegations of violence against the children were made by the children’s mother against my fiancée. Social Services intervened, with both my fiancée and I unable to see the children for a period of time whilst investigations took place. Social Services thankfully saw through the allegations and determined that my fiancée posed no risk to the children.

Throughout the entire case, from drafting the initial application to court, accompanying me at court, drafting position statements, advising on dealing with social services, to negotiating a consent order with the other side’s solicitor, Colin’s assistance has been instrumental in ensuring that the final outcome not only met my initial objectives, but in fact exceeded them.

Colin has performed all of these services professionally and to an extremely high standard. I have encountered quite a few solicitors and barristers over the years in the course of mine and my fiancées dealings with the family courts. I would place Colin as at least the equal of the best of those legal professionals.

I should also make mention of Jeff Botterill, who deputised when Colin was unavailable. Like Colin, Jeff also provided a highly professional service, and gave me confidence when appearing in court.

I will forever owe these gentlemen a debt of gratitude for their assistance. I have no hesitation in recommending the services of Colin and Jeff.

– Mr T. (Merseyside)

Thanks Jeff for all the advice and help leading through a tricky set of court cases against the mother of my child who, a solicitor herself was determined to make it as hard as possible to get access to my son. I originally went through a family law solicitor before a chance conversation lead me to look up McKenzie friends on the net. Going down this route and choosing Jeff's company was the best decision I made. Not only was the rate substantially more expensive via the solicitor compared to Jeff, but the high level of advice and general passion for the job was obvious from the start with him. Previously access was sporadic and when it fitted in with the mother's life, now I am now building up a great relationship with my son with alternate weekends and holidays. I have no hesitation in recommending Family Law Decisions to anyone who was in the same position as I was and looking to get regular access to their children.

– Mr L. (Greater Manchester)

Calling Family Law Decisions was the best decision I ever made. I was in my third year of court cases and had used barristers for previous court appearances but was given poor advice and always felt disappointed, questioning which "side" they were working for. Two days before I was due in court (again), I rang Jeff Botterill and immediately, after having chatted at length about my court history, I felt a huge sense of relief knowing that I could now put my future legal battles in the capable hands of Jeff and his colleague Colin Brealey.

I have had the pleasure of working with Jeff and Colin, both highly knowledgeable and professional, they helped me remain calm under extremely difficult circumstances, without them supporting me in the background with all the court statements and by my side in court, I would have fallen apart. Their ongoing support has been overwhelming and this type of first class service is something you do not get using a firm of solicitors. I feel indebted to you both, thank you.

My advice to anybody looking at this website, pick up the phone, it will be your best decision that you have ever made too.

– Ms H. (Berkshire)

I first came in to contact with Colin Brealey, through McKenzie Friends, having not seen my daughter for over 9 months and having been to the family court 3 times. At this stage a section 7 report was being completed by Cafcass.

Colin made himself readily available at the end of the phone or by email and always gave good, practical advice. It was clear that his knowledge of family law was vast. He attended the next court hearing with me, arrived early and, again, gave good, clear and practical advice on how we should proceed. In addition to the advice on how to proceed at the hearing, he also advised me on how to contact my daughter’s GP and nursery to ask for details of matters relating to her and gave me copies of template letters for this purpose.

Thanks to Colin’s vast knowledge of family law and his professional manner, he was able to negotiate with my ex-partner’s solicitor resulting in a final order which I was very happy with indeed. Colin continues to be available to me for advice by email or phone and I would not hesitate to contact him in the future if I had any further problems regarding contact with my daughter. I would also highly recommend Colin to anyone experiencing problems with regard to contact with their child or children.

– Mr K. (Suffolk)