McKenzie Friend: What They Can and Can’t Do in UK Family Courts

By Jess 21st January 2026 in Affordable Legal Support

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Updated 21st January 2026 | Fact Checked By Jess Knauf, Co-Founder, Family Law Service

What You Need to Know About McKenzie Friends

• McKenzie Friends are non-lawyer assistants who can support you in court proceedings, particularly in family law cases
• They can sit beside you, take notes, and quietly suggest what to say, but they cannot speak on your behalf or act as your legal representative
• Named after the 1970 case McKenzie v McKenzie, this right exists to help litigants in person (people representing themselves)
• Unlike solicitors or barristers, McKenzie Friends are not regulated, which means their quality and expertise can vary enormously
• They cannot conduct litigation, file court documents on your behalf, or exercise rights of audience (speaking in court)
• Understanding their limitations can help you decide if a McKenzie Friend is right for your case, or whether fixed-fee legal support might serve you better

When You’re Facing Court Alone

If you’re representing yourself in a family law matter, whether it’s a divorce, child arrangements, or financial settlement, you’ve probably felt overwhelmed by court paperwork and procedures. Perhaps you’ve heard about McKenzie Friendsand wondered if they could help.

The truth is, many people turn to McKenzie Friends when they can’t afford a solicitor, or when they need some support but don’t want full legal representation. Whilst they can be helpful in certain situations, it’s really important to understand what they can and can’t actually do for you.

At Family Law Service, we have dealt with clients who’ve worked with a McKenzie Friend but then realise they need proper legal advice for the more complex parts of their case,” says Jess Knauf, Co-Founder. “There’s nothing wrong with using a McKenzie Friend, but knowing their limitations from the start can save you time, money, and stress.

What Is a McKenzie Friend?

A McKenzie Friend is someone who assists a litigant in person (someone representing themselves) in court proceedings. The term comes from the 1970 Court of Appeal case McKenzie v McKenzie [1970] EWCA Civ 3, which established the right for people to have a friend or adviser sit with them in court.

McKenzie Friends can be:

• Friends or family members
• Volunteers from support organisations
• Professional McKenzie Friends who charge fees
• Law students or paralegals

The key thing to remember is that they’re not qualified solicitors or barristers, and they’re not regulated by any professional body like the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

What Can a McKenzie Friend Actually Do?

Here’s what a McKenzie Friend is allowed to help you with:

In Court:

• Sit beside you during hearings
• Take notes for you
• Quietly suggest questions you might want to ask
• Help you find documents or case law
• Provide moral support

Outside Court:

• Help you understand court procedures
• Assist with organising your paperwork
• Discuss your case strategy with you
• Draft skeleton arguments (though you must sign and file them yourself)

Essentially, they’re there to support and advise you, but the responsibility for your case remains entirely with you.

What McKenzie Friends Cannot Do

This is where things get really important. A McKenzie Friend cannot:

• Speak on your behalf in court (this is called exercising “rights of audience” and only qualified lawyers can do this, except in rare circumstances with the judge’s permission)
• Conduct litigation, which means they can’t file court forms or correspond with the court on your behalf
• Sign court documents in your name
• Act as your legal representative
• Give you formal legal advice (though this line can be blurry)

Understanding How McKenzie Friends Work

McKenzie Friends can be a really helpful option for many people, especially when you need support but want to keep costs down. Here’s what makes them different from traditional legal representation, so you can make an informed choice:

They Work Differently to Solicitors

McKenzie Friends operate outside the traditional legal framework, which actually gives them some flexibility. They’re not bound by the same regulations as solicitors, which can mean lower costs and more personalised approaches. However, it’s worth knowing they’re not regulated by a professional body like the Solicitors Regulation Authority, so there’s no formal complaints procedure if things don’t work out.

Experience Varies Widely

One of the interesting things about McKenzie Friends is the diversity of backgrounds they come from. Some have years of experience supporting family law cases and have developed excellent practical knowledge. Others might be newer to the role or have mainly experienced family law through their own cases. The key is asking about their specific experience and getting a feel for whether they’re the right fit for your situation.

Different Insurance Arrangements

Whilst solicitors carry professional indemnity insurance as part of their regulation, McKenzie Friends typically don’t have this type of cover. For many straightforward cases, this isn’t an issue at all. However, it’s something to factor in when deciding what level of support feels right for your circumstances.

Court Discretion

It’s helpful to know that judges have discretion over whether a McKenzie Friend can assist in court. In practice, most judges are supportive of McKenzie Friends who are helping appropriately. The case Re N (A Child) [2008] EWHC 2042 (Fam) sets out guidelines ensuring McKenzie Friends can assist effectively whilst making sure proceedings run smoothly. If you have a professional, well-prepared McKenzie Friend, there’s usually no issue at all.

The key thing is that McKenzie Friends offer a different type of support to regulated legal services, and for many people, they’re exactly what’s needed. It’s just about understanding what makes them different and choosing the option that fits your case.

When Might a McKenzie Friend Be Helpful?

McKenzie Friends can be particularly useful in:

• Simple, straightforward hearings where you mainly need moral support
• Cases where you’re confident representing yourself but want someone to take notes
• Situations where you genuinely cannot afford any legal representation
• Early hearings like FDRAs (Financial Dispute Resolution Appointments) where you’re trying to reach agreement

However, for anything complex, contested, or involving significant assets or serious child welfare concerns, you really need proper legal representation or at least fixed-fee legal advice.

Finding the Right Level of Support for Your Case

The good news is that you don’t have to choose between representing yourself completely alone or paying thousands of pounds for full legal representation. There’s a whole range of support options to match different budgets and case types.

At Family Law Service, we offer flexible support to fit what you actually need:

McKenzie Friend Services

Court Form Completion

Our McKenzie Friends will help you complete C100 forms, Form A, Form E, Form C1a, Form C2 or an FL401 correctly, so there are no delays or rejections.

Court Prep Meetings
Before your hearing, we’ll run through what to expect, what questions to prepare for, and how to present your case effectively. This can be utilsed for both financial matters and child arrangement matters.

Case Reviews
We’ll review your case with you, identify strengths and weaknesses, and discuss your best next steps.

CAFCASS Prep Meetings
If you’re meeting with CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service), we’ll prepare you for what they’ll ask and how to present yourself positively.

Regulated Legal Advice:

Fixed-Fee Legal Consultation

You can book a one-hour consultation where a qualified family law professional will give you specific, tailored advice about your case. This is particularly helpful when you need formal legal advice on your rights, what the law actually says, or what a judge is likely to decide.

“The key is matching the support to your situation,” explains Jess. “For straightforward hearings or form completion, our McKenzie Friend services work brilliantly. When you need formal legal advice about your rights or a realistic assessment of how a judge might rule, that’s when our legal consultation service becomes really valuable. It’s not about one being better, it’s about what your case actually needs.”

When You Absolutely Need a Solicitor

McKenzie Friends offer excellent support for many family law cases, but some situations involve legal complexities where qualified solicitor representation can make a significant difference to outcomes:

Highly Complex or Sensitive Cases

• Allegations of domestic abuse – These cases often involve specific legal frameworks, protective orders, and evidence requirements where qualified legal expertise is particularly valuable.
• Complex financial cases – When businesses, pensions, or substantial assets are involved, the legal and financial calculations can be intricate. A solicitor’s expertise in this area can help ensure you receive a fair settlement.
• International child abduction cases – These involve international law and specific conventions (like the Hague Convention), where specialist legal knowledge is really beneficial.
• Cases with represented opposition – When the other party has a solicitor, you may find yourself at a disadvantage without equivalent representation. Whilst McKenzie Friends provide valuable support, a solicitor can engage on a level playing field.
• High-stakes final hearings – When the outcome will significantly impact your future (such as final financial settlements or major child arrangement decisions), having a qualified solicitor can give you the best chance of achieving your desired outcome.

In these situations, the additional expertise, advocacy skills, and legal knowledge that a qualified solicitor brings can be really important. It’s not that McKenzie Friends aren’t helpful, it’s that these cases benefit from the specific legal training and court advocacy skills that solicitors have.

“We’re always honest with people about what their case needs,” says Jess. “Sometimes McKenzie Friend support is perfect. Other times, we’ll tell you that your situation really would benefit from qualified legal representation, even if that’s more expensive. The worst outcome is choosing the wrong level of support and getting a result that could have been better.”

FAQs About McKenzie Friends

Can a McKenzie Friend speak for me in court?

Generally no. A McKenzie Friend can only speak on your behalf if the judge specifically grants them “rights of audience,” which is rare and at the judge’s complete discretion. Don’t rely on this happening.

Do I have a right to have a McKenzie Friend with me?

You have the right to ask for a McKenzie Friend to assist you, but the court can refuse if they believe it’s not in the interests of justice or if your McKenzie Friend is disrupting proceedings.

How much do McKenzie Friends charge?

This varies enormously. Some are volunteers and charge nothing, others charge £50-200 per hour. There’s no set fee structure because they’re not regulated.

Is a McKenzie Friend better than representing myself alone?

Usually yes, if they’re experienced and supportive. Having someone take notes and provide moral support can be really helpful. But they’re not a substitute for legal advice.

Can a McKenzie Friend help me with mediation?

McKenzie Friends are for court proceedings, not mediation. If you’re considering mediation, organisations like Mediate UK specialise in helping families reach agreements without going to court. Mediation is often quicker, cheaper, and less stressful than court, and you’ll have a qualified mediator facilitating discussions.

What’s the difference between a McKenzie Friend and a solicitor?

A solicitor is a qualified lawyer, regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, with professional indemnity insurance. They can give you legal advice, represent you in court, and conduct litigation on your behalf. A McKenzie Friend is none of these things.

The Bottom Line on McKenzie Friends

McKenzie Friends can provide valuable support if you’re representing yourself in family law proceedings, particularly for straightforward hearings or when you need someone to take notes and keep you calm.

However, they’re not a substitute for proper legal advice, and understanding their limitations is important. They can’t speak for you in court, they can’t file documents on your behalf, and they’re not qualified lawyers.

For many people, fixed-fee legal services offer better value. You get advice from a qualified professional, you know exactly what you’re paying, and you have the protection of professional regulation.