What is a McKenzie Friend?
A McKenzie Friend is someone who provides support, guidance, and assistance to individuals representing themselves in court (litigants in person). While they are not practising lawyers, they often have legal knowledge, experience, or qualifications that enable them to provide invaluable help in family law and other legal proceedings.
The term comes from the landmark 1970 case McKenzie v McKenzie, where the Court of Appeal established that litigants in person have the right to assistance from a qualified non-lawyer.
When Should You Use a McKenzie Friend?
A McKenzie Friend is an excellent option if:
- You are self-representing in court and need guidance.
- You want assistance with drafting documents or understanding legal procedures.
- You feel nervous or overwhelmed and need someone in your corner.
One of the key benefits of a McKenzie Friend is affordability. Our fixed fees start from £268, with most clients spending between £400 and £800 depending on the support needed.
How to Find a McKenzie Friend
When choosing a McKenzie Friend, look for someone with:
- Proven experience in family law.
- Transparent fees and terms.
- Positive reviews or testimonials.
Not all McKenzie Friends are the same
The McKenzie Friend industry is unregulated, which means experience levels vary wildly. When your children and finances are on the line, you need proven expertise. At Family Law Decisions, we don't bring personal agendas to the courtroom—we bring 18+ years of objective, award-winning family court experience, full transparency, and a child-focused approach that judges respect.
What to look for when choosing a McKenzie Friend
Before you trust anyone with your family case, check for:
- Real, long-standing experience in the family courts, not just a case or two of their own.
- Genuine, independent reviews and recognised results.
- A calm, child-focused approach. The court's first concern is the welfare of the child, not winning a fight, and your McKenzie Friend's approach should reflect that.
- Clear, fixed fees you can see up front, with no hourly billing.
- Someone who prepares you properly for Cafcass and for questions in the hearing, not just someone who sits beside you.
Why Family Law Decisions
We were built around exactly those standards:
- Over 18 years supporting people through the family courts in England and Wales.
- Rated 4.8 on Google across 125 reviews, and recognised at the National Paralegal Awards, winning Most Impressive Growth in 2022 and shortlisted as a finalist in 2022 and 2023.
- A consistently child-focused approach. Our job is the best outcome for you and your children, not a crusade of our own.
- Fixed fees, so you always know the cost in advance. See Our Prices.
- Hands-on support: preparing your applications, position statements and witness statements, getting you ready for Cafcass and for cross-examination, and standing beside you at court.
Book a free consultation, message us on WhatsApp, or call 0800 140 4648.
McKenzie Friend or Solicitor, which do you need?
This is the question most people ask first. A McKenzie Friend provides a fundamentally different service to a solicitor. We do not represent you or advocate on your behalf in court. What we do is assist you to represent yourself effectively, which for the vast majority of family court cases is entirely appropriate and achievable.
A solicitor manages your entire case, corresponding with the court and the other party on your behalf, handling all paperwork, and instructing a barrister for advocacy if needed. A barrister is primarily a court advocate, usually instructed by a solicitor for specific hearings. A McKenzie Friend works in the background, helping you prepare, organising your documents, and supporting you quietly in court, but you correspond with the court and the other party yourself, and you present your own case.
Assistance from Family Law Decisions:
- Fixed fees from £268 - no hourly billing
- Most clients spend between £400 and £800
- Direct, personal support throughout your case
- 18+ years of experience in family courts across England and Wales
- Plain English explanations at every stage
Traditional Solicitor Representation:
- Hourly rates of £150 to £400+ for family law solicitors, rising to £579 or more in London and specialist firms
- Costs across proceedings commonly reach £5,000 to £50,000 across proceedings (£100,000+ in heavily contested drawn out proceedings).
- A solicitor or barrister formally represents and advocates for you in court
- Costs often billed in six-minute units - every call, email and letter charged
The honest difference: a solicitor speaks for you in court and takes on full legal responsibility for your case. A McKenzie Friend sits beside you, helps you prepare, takes notes, and provides quiet guidance, you present your own case. Judges are experienced in supporting litigants in person and ensure hearings are conducted fairly.
For most child arrangements, non-molestation, occupation order, and financial remedy cases, McKenzie Friend assistance is entirely appropriate. Not sure which applies to your situation? Message us on WhatsApp or call 0800 140 4648 for a free consultation, we will always tell you honestly if your case requires a solicitor.
FAQs
How much do McKenzie Friend services cost?
Our fixed fees start from £268, with most clients spending between £400 and £800 per hearing or piece of work. Family law solicitors charge £150 to £400+ per hour, rising to £579 or more in London and specialist firms, with costs across proceedings commonly reaching £5,000 to £50,000 for relatively straightforward cases and perhaps tens of thousands more in protracted drawn out heavily contested proceedings. With Family Law Decisions, every stage has a fixed fee, no hourly billing, no hidden charges, and no surprises.
Are McKenzie Friends Practising Lawyers?
A solicitor manages your entire case, corresponding with the court and the other party on your behalf, handling all paperwork, and instructing a barrister for advocacy if needed. A barrister is primarily a court advocate, usually brought in by a solicitor for specific hearings. A McKenzie Friend works in the background, helping you prepare, organising your documents, and supporting you quietly in court. You correspond with the court and the other party yourself, and you present your own case. For the vast majority of family court cases, self-representation with experienced McKenzie Friend support is entirely effective.
How does a McKenzie Friend differ from a solicitor in court?
A solicitor or barrister formally represents you and speaks on your behalf in court. A McKenzie Friend assists you to represent yourself, sitting beside you, taking notes, providing quiet guidance and helping you stay focused. You present your own case. In most family court hearings, self-representation with experienced McKenzie Friend support is entirely effective, and judges are familiar with litigants in person.
Can McKenzie Friends Help Draft Documents?
Yes. They can help draft high-quality court documents, including:
- Position statements
- Witness statements
- Skeleton arguments
- Submissions referencing case law
Do McKenzie Friends Have Access to Legal Resources?
Yes. McKenzie Friends can have access to legal resources, case law, and research tools similar to those used by solicitors.
Can a McKenzie Friend Attend Court with Me?
Yes. McKenzie Friends can attend court hearings with you and sit beside you to provide quiet advice and support.
Can a McKenzie Friend Speak for Me in Court?
Only if the judge grants them Rights of Audience. This is typically granted in exceptional circumstances and at the court’s discretion.
How Can a McKenzie Friend Help if I’m Nervous?
They can provide written notes to remind you of key points, help you stay calm, and ensure your arguments are presented clearly.
Is McKenzie Friend assistance right for my case?
McKenzie Friend support is suitable for most family court cases, including child arrangements, non-molestation orders, occupation orders, and financial remedy proceedings.
Message us on WhatsApp or call 0800 140 4648 for a Free Consultation
More useful information:
• Child Arrangements Order
• Non-Molestation Order
• Occupation Order
• Financial Remedy Order
• Our Prices
• Legal Services and Costs
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