General Disclaimer: Nothing
presented constitutes legal advice and the
McKenzie Friend UK Network is not a legal entity
or in anyway claims to be a 'legal resource'. The
resource guide is supported by McKenzie Friends
and Litigants in person for Litigants in Person
in Family Court. McKenzie Friends provide
layperson support as an informed friend under the
Family Court Practrice Guidance of 2010. All
information is published under the spirit of that
guidance. For any corrections of the information,
please contact the McKenzie Friend UK Network
Allocation
and Gatekeeping
9.1
It is important that the form C100 is
fully completed (including the provision of telephone
numbers of the relevant parties), otherwise there may be
a delay in processing the application; where the form is
not fully completed, the court staff may request further
information before the application form is accepted for
issue. It is also important that the form C100, the
Acknowledgement Form C7 and, where applicable, any
Supplemental Information Form C1A are fully and
accurately completed to enable the court to make
appropriate decisions about allocation and case
management.
9.2
The application shall be considered by a
nominated Legal Adviser &/or nominated District Judge
(‘the Gatekeeper(s)’) within one working day of
the date of receipt in accordance with the appropriate
Rules of Procedure.
9.3
An application for a relevant family order
shall be allocated to a level of judge in the Family
Court in accordance with the Guidance issued by the
President on ‘Allocation and Gatekeeping for
Proceedings under Part II of the Children Act 1989
(Private Law Proceedings) and the Family Court
(Composition and Distribution of Business) Rules 2014,
together with the Allocation Schedule.
9.4
Gatekeepers shall be able to issue
Directions on Issue in the following circumstances –
(1) where, on the basis of information
provided on the application form and any additional
information provided on a C1A Supplemental Information
Form, the Gatekeeper finds that the exemption from
attending a MIAM has not been validly been claimed, the
Gatekeeper will direct the applicant, or direct the
parties to attend a MIAM before the FHDRA, unless the
Gatekeeper considers that in all the circumstances of the
case the MIAM requirement should not apply to the
application in question; the Gatekeeper will have
particular regard to the matters set out in rule 3.10(3)
FPR when making this decision;
(2) where it appears that an urgent issue
requires determination, the Gatekeeper may give
directions for an accelerated hearing;
(3) exceptionally, where it appears that
directions need to be given for the service and filing of
evidence, he/she may give directions for the filing of
evidence.
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Our independent MaKenzie Friends provide support throughout the UK.
MaKenzie Friends operate as 'lay persons' who are not legally trained or qualified, but who will support you through the family court process as an 'informed friend'.
Our MaKenzie Friends can :
1) Provide personal support, understanding and mentoring.
2) Offer non legal advice and guidance.
3) To assist you with paperwork, forms and planning.
4) To organise your files and assist you in the smooth administration of the process.
5) To help research information.
6) As laypersons, discuss and offer advice, guidance and opinions on your case and strategy.
7) To assist with the management and timing of disclosures.
8) To assist with your statements, submissions and arguments.
9) To attend court with you under the formal guidance presented by the family courts.
10) To help you prepare your arguments and questions.
Philip Kedge is a retired police Chief Inspector and the founder and director of the McKenzie Friend UK Network. His aim is to remove lawyers from the family court with his own ethical business to reduce conflict and acrimony, to provide training and a cost effective McKenzie Friend national
service and to reduce the emotional harm to children as a non-legal entity and informed friend.