Going through a family court case — whether it involves divorce, child arrangement orders, financial settlements, or domestic abuse proceedings — is one of the most stressful experiences anyone can face. The emotional toll is immense, and when you add the complexity of legal proceedings, it can feel overwhelming.
For many people, hiring a solicitor to represent them in family court is simply not financially possible. Solicitor fees for family law matters can easily run into thousands — even tens of thousands — of pounds. At the same time, Legal Aid for family matters has been drastically cut since 2013, leaving millions of people without access to funded legal representation.
This is where a McKenzie Friend comes in. A McKenzie Friend is a person who assists a 'litigant in person' — someone representing themselves — in a court of law in England and Wales. The role originates from the 1970 Court of Appeal case McKenzie v McKenzie, which established the fundamental right for an unrepresented party to receive assistance from a lay person during court proceedings.
So what exactly does a McKenzie Friend do? During a court hearing, a McKenzie Friend sits beside you and provides moral support, takes notes of the proceedings, helps you organise and reference your documents, and quietly suggests questions to ask and points to raise. They act as your anchor in an unfamiliar and often intimidating environment.
It's important to understand that a McKenzie Friend is not a solicitor or barrister. They do not hold a practising certificate and are not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. However, this doesn't mean they lack knowledge or experience. Many McKenzie Friends, including our team at Castle Family Legal, have extensive legal training and years of experience in family court proceedings.
In certain circumstances, a McKenzie Friend can go beyond the traditional role and act as an advocate — addressing the judge directly and making submissions on your behalf. This is known as exercising 'rights of audience' and requires the court's permission. Courts are increasingly willing to grant this, particularly where the litigant in person would otherwise be at a significant disadvantage.
At Castle Family Legal, our McKenzie Friend and advocacy service covers the full spectrum of family court matters. We assist with divorce and dissolution proceedings, child arrangement orders (formerly known as custody and contact orders), specific issue orders and prohibited steps orders, financial remedy proceedings (the division of assets on divorce), enforcement of existing court orders, non-molestation and occupation order applications, and consent order drafting and negotiation.
One of the most critical aspects of our service is pre-hearing preparation. In our experience, thorough preparation is often the single biggest factor in achieving a successful outcome. Before your hearing, we review your case in detail, draft position statements that clearly set out your arguments, prepare your court bundle (the collection of documents the judge will read), explain what to expect on the day, and help you anticipate and prepare for the other party's arguments.
After your hearing, we help you understand any court orders that have been made, explain what steps you need to take next, and assist with compliance — making sure you do everything the court has asked of you within the required timeframes.
Our fees are priced on application and assessed on a case-by-case basis. Every family situation is unique, and the level of support required varies enormously. Some clients need help with a single hearing; others need support throughout an entire case. We'll always provide a clear, honest estimate before any work begins, so there are no surprises.
We are committed to providing compassionate, non-judgmental support. Family proceedings are deeply personal, and we understand the courage it takes to go through this process. Whether you're a parent fighting to see your children, navigating a difficult divorce, dealing with financial disputes, or seeking protection from an abusive partner — we treat every client with dignity and respect.
If you're facing a family court hearing and feel overwhelmed, you don't have to go through it alone. Contact Castle Family Legal for a confidential, no-obligation discussion about how our McKenzie Friend and advocacy service can help you. Call us on 07868 588 798, email g.stevens@castlefamilylegal.co.uk, or reach out via WhatsApp.
