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Family Court Library
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| A McKenzie Friend is a term used primarily in common law jurisdictions, including England and Wales. It refers to a person who provides assistance and support to an individual representing themselves in a court case, usually in family or civil proceedings. The McKenzie Friend is not a legal professional, but rather a layperson who can offer practical and emotional support to the unrepresented litigant. | |
| The name "McKenzie Friend" comes from a 1970 British court case called McKenzie v. McKenzie, where it was ruled that a friend of the family could accompany an unrepresented litigant to provide assistance during the court proceedings. | |
| The McKenzie Friend's role is extensive including offering moral support, taking notes, helping with case papers, and offering general advice. There is no right to address the court directly, or to advocate, without the permission of the court. | |
| The concept behind McKenzie Friends is that it is an irrebuttable truth that you don't need to pay for lawyers in the the family court. Lawyers, who all too often engage in thousands of pounds of uneccessary work, stir the pot of hate and acrimony for financial gain and have no professional duty of care for any child. | |
| There is no advantage to having a lawyer, a lawyer cannot get you what you want. A McKenzie Friend is a sensible alternative to support you through the process as an informed friend. | |
| Please note that all McKenzie Friends listed are independent business entities who operate under their own Terms and Conditions providing their own services. They are not employed by us and we are not responsible or liable for their service provided. | |
| FIND A TRUSTED MCKENZIE FRIEND | |
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| McKenzie Friend CASE LAW |
| Lord Tenterden CJ in Collier v Hicks (1831) 2 B & Ad 663 that: 'Any person, whether he be a professional man or not, may attend as a friend of either party, may take notes, may quietly make suggestions, and give advice … '. |
| R v Leicester City
Justices, ex p. Barrow [1991] 2 QB 260 (CA) where it was
said that – 'if a party arms himself with assistance in order the better himself to present his case, it is not a question of seeking the leave of the court. It is a question of the court objecting and restricting him in the use of this assistance, if it is clearly unreasonable in nature or degree or if it becomes apparent that the 'assistance' is not being provided bona fide, but for an improper purpose or is being provided in a way which is inimical to the proper and efficient administration of justice by, for example, causing the party to waste time, advising the introduction of irrelevant issues or the asking of irrelevant or repetitious questions.' |
| In Re H (Chambers Proceedings: McKenzie Friend) [1997] 2 FLR 423 the Court of Appeal held that a Recorder should not have refused to allow a father to have a McKenzie friend in an application for contact to his daughter heard in chambers. |
| Read all Case Law |
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McKenzie Friend Training
Our Top Featured McKenzie Friends
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We have already saved our clients over
£20 million in unnecessary legal fees
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.
