Mckenzie Friend Service - Family Court FREE 30 Minute Consultation

After seeing first hand the devastating impact that the family court process can have on children's wellbeing and the long, arduous road it can be, Emma has completed training with the Mckenzie Friend UK Network to offer support to the local community. 

So if you are going through a separation or divorce right now, did you know you can represent yourself as a Litigant in Person? Representing yourself with the support of a Mckenzie Friend, saves you money and reduces the conflict of a separation. Unfortunately although this is contrary to popular belief, solicitors do not always have yours or the children's best interests at heart in the family court. Inciting conflict in a disputing couple is perfect for solicitors to continue to bill you for further hours spent wasting time and money on unnecessary drawn out arguments. At the end of the day a judge will be considering the opinions of the professionals involved - specifically when it comes to children's welfare and their needs - not a solicitor who you have paid to preach in the family court!

The Mckenzie Friend UK Network promotes the #lightnothate campaign when addressing all matters of the family court. We help a client to understand that they can only be responsible for their own thoughts and actions and we help guide them through the process of the family court where there are issues of dispute with finances and children. 

What we can help with:

Divorce Applications
Financial Orders & Settlements
Child Arrangement Orders
Breach of Child Arrangement Orders
Non-Molestation Orders

So what is a Mckenzie Friend? 

A McKenzie friend assists a litigant in person in a court of law in the UK by prompting, taking notes, and quietly giving advice. They need not be legally trained or have any professional legal qualifications.

The right to a McKenzie friend was established in the 1970 case of McKenzie v McKenzie.

Practice Guidance: McKenzie Friends (Civil and Family Courts)

All litigants have the right to have reasonable assistance from a layperson, sometimes called a McKenzie Friend (MF). Litigants assisted by MFs remain litigants-in-person. MFs have no independent right to provide assistance. They have no right to act as advocates or to carry out the conduct of litigation.

What McKenzie Friends may do 3) MFs may: i) provide moral support for litigants; ii) take notes; iii) help with case papers; iii) quietly give advice on any aspect of the conduct of the case.

Book a free 30 minute consultation to help you get some clarification and discuss your next steps for your family court situation. Emma will contact you to arrange a suitable time to discuss in person or over the phone. 

The Mckenzie Friend UK Network run by Phil Kedge which Emma is a member of, also have a huge free resource library which you can access which will also help support you in your case. To access this go to:  https://www.mckenziefriendservice.co.uk/family-law-resource-guides