Services
How we can help you
McKenzie Friend
For each court hearing it is generally imperative that you provide a succinct professional Position Statement which will get your view and requests before the judge. Our experienced and knowledgeable McKenzie Friends will assist you in drafting a relevant Position Statement that will get your position over to the court in an effective way. They will also sit next to you in court and can provide advice on any aspect of the conduct of your case, including: (i) Points of law (ii) Issues that you (litigant in person (LIP)) may wish to raise in court. (iii) Questions that you may wish to ask witnesses.
Free initial phone consultation
When you Contact Us if we are not able to speak to you immediately, we will call you back shortly afterwards and provide a free initial phone consultation on the general aspects of your case. No cost and no obligation.
Assessment and advice session
For more specific information and support we can provide assessment and advice sessions either face to face or by telephone/Skype. Generally depending on the complexities of the case a one or two hour session is suitable. At the end of that meeting you will have a good idea of the options and practicalities of any course of action you may be considering.
Telephone and email support
With our fixed prices we include reasonable telephone and email support. Or we can provide any extra support at a low cost.
Assistance in court
Even if you are a confident speaker in other situations and are well informed regarding the court process, going alone is not generally recommended. A supposedly simple hearing can throw up technical points and important decisions you have to decide on fairly quickly with little or no support available. Our McKenzie Friends who accompany you into court will ensure you are making decisions and putting forward your case to the court in a manner which is far more likely to get you the results you want. We will help you to stop making the mistakes that many parents do when they enter the rather bewildering system.
Court documents
The documents that you may wish to put before the court include statements, skeleton arguments, opening and closing submissions are tremendously important. To ensure they will be well received by the judge and anyone else reading them we strongly recommend you have the assistance of our McKenzie Friends. Too often parents will damage their case somewhat or even sabotage it completely by filing and serving documents which are counter-productive in content and poorly drafted. We help you get your view over to the court in an appropriate and an effective way.
Informal mediation
At times if there is enough communication between the parents we can provide a realistic plan that will save you money, time and stress. A simple get together in an independent venue with an experienced McKenzie Friend can be enough to reach an informal agreement setting you on the right path.
Many thanks for your services.
I met Jeff at my local FNF meeting. I was immediately struck not only by Jeff’s technical expertise but also by the calm, measured and authoritative way in which he gave others help and support.
I didn’t even bother looking for a solicitor, I engaged Jeff as my McKenzie Friend. He helped me file an application to court and draft a position statement. He subsequently helped support me in court.
In court Jeff was a rock-steady mentor, providing pragmatic and clear advice at just the right time. He negotiated with the other side and his clear familiarity with the system filled me with confidence in the waiting before the hearing. Importantly he had the confidence of the judge, who explicitly remarked on Jeff’s CV with obvious admiration.
In the hearing, following a rocky start (the judge thought my suggested residence schedule was too much for a 2 year old...and lots of allegations in mum's position statement - all ignored by Cafcass and the judge) the judge supported an amended schedule Jeff and I proposed; Jeff was then instrumental in hammering out a brief but prescriptive Shared Residence Order by consent.
The mother had applied for sole residence and proposed one Wednesday overnight a fortnight and every other weekend Friday to Sunday 6pm for contact. No holidays, other than alternate Christmas day.
I ended up with an SRO by consent, every Wednesday overnight and every other weekend Friday nursery pick up to Monday nursery drop off. I also got half of all holidays and alternate Christmas and Easter.
I am confident that with Jeff’s help, support and guidance I got the best outcome for my son; the long weekends and holidays in particular will help immensely in his relationship with me, his grandparents and his young cousin. I am sure I wouldn’t have secured such a good outcome for my son without Jeff’s calming influence, help and guidance.
There are a couple of amendments to make, rest is perfect and to the point. You have really nailed it Jeff by making it flow so well and to the point. Thank you so much for your immense help and for being there with me all the way. I will send you an email when all is done or I need any other advice.
Until then a massive thanks once again.
All the best.
Kindest regards
PS: I told my sister about you liking the different spicy food. She told me to invite you at some point to try ........... food.