What is a mckenzie friend

Introduction

Going to family court can be a very stressful and Challenging experience, particularly with limited resources available to you. Not everyone can afford legal representation, therefore, the only option vallable is to represent yourself in court.

Having a McKenzie friend can offer valuable

support, emotionally and practically. They can assist you with managing the complexilies of the legal proceedings

What is a McKenzie Friend?

Mckenzie friends are named after the cool McKenzie v Mckenzie (1970), which established the right of Litigants to have such support.

A Mckenzie Friend is not a solicitor or barrister they provide support and assistance to those representing themselves in court. They can help you prepare emotionally of  what to expect and throughout the whole case process. A Mckenzie Friend can provide much needed emotional support and assistance acting as calming presence during all court appearances and legal meetings. This extra support can help olievate feelings of isolation and anxiety, and can be especially beneficial when dealing with complex and sensitive issues, This can help you maintain composure, clarity and confidence while managing the complexity of the legal proceedings.

Key benefits of a McKenzie Friend. 

     Many McKenzie Friends (including myself) have been where you are now. We understand how emotional and distressing it can be trying to navigate the process and understanding the legal jargon. McKenzie Friends can provide moral support, helping litigants remain composed and focused during hearings. 

   We can provide an objective perspective and help Litigants in Person (LiPs) see the bigger picture while 

understanding the strengths and weaknesses in the case. 

• • Affordability:

          Hiring a McKenzie Friend is significantly less expensive than engaging a solicitor or a barrister most McKenzie Friends tend to work outside of a corporate structure, therefore, the overheads are lower which means we can give transparent pricing so you know exactly how much it will cost you without the fear of any extra hidden costs. 

• •increased confidence:

         A McKenzie Friend understands what it means to lay your life out before a court and have the person experience with the emotions of re-living certain experiences. With this insight, we bring empathy and understanding with each individual case. For us, this is not ‘just a job’ and you are not ‘just a number’ this is real life situations and it matters to us, just as much as it matters to you. As McKenzie Friends tend to have fewer clients at any given time, we can put more time and focus into your case and we can be available when you need us most, giving you the full focus you need to confidently present your case to the court.

• •Organisation:

     A McKenzie Friend can help manage the log of your case. This includes providing support and assistance with case preparations, and ease the administrative burden, allowing you to concentrate on the more critical decisions at hand. They can take notes in court hearings, organise paperwork, preparing documentation and assist with correspondence. This support can be crucial in helping you articulate your arguments and respond to questions effectively. 

• Provide moral support: Offering emotional comfort and encouragement to the litigant. 
• Take detailed notes: Helping the litigant stay organized and informed on the case. 
• Help with case papers: Assisting with preparing and organising documents. 
• Offer advice: Providing guidance on points of law or procedure, issues to raise in court, or questions to ask witnesses, but always quietly and without directly addressing the court. 
• Help with court procedures: Guiding the litigant through the steps of the court process. 

What they CANNOT do:

•   act as the litigants’ agent in relation to the proceedings; ii)
• manage litigants’ cases outside court, for example by signing court
• documents; or iii) address the court, make oral submissions or examine

witnesses. 

Finally...

   A McKenzie Friend can provide valuable support during family law cases and can help parents feel less overwhelmed. Their presence can make a significant difference in the outcome of the case. If resources are limited, a McKenzie Friend offers a cost-effective and accessible alternative, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to present their case effectively and make the court process less daunting and they offer some important reassurance throughout proceedings.