No. I’m a McKenzie friend. That means I offer practical support and information while you speak for yourself in court and make your own decisions.

I primarily support clients involved in family court proceedings across Yorkshire. However, I also offer remote support for cases elsewhere in England and Wales, including assistance with preparing paperwork and getting ready for hearings. I do occasionally travel outside Yorkshire to attend hearings in person. Where this isn’t practical due to the time or date of your hearing, I may recommend requesting a stand-in McKenzie Friend. Any such arrangements will always be discussed with you in advance, clearly explained, and entirely guided by your preferences; you will remain in full control of the options available to you.

My role is to sit beside you, help you stay organised and remind you of the points you want to cover. The judge may allow limited speaking in some situations, but you stay responsible for presenting your case.

I offer clear, simple pricing based on the kind of support you want – for example, preparation sessions, attending a hearing, or both. We talk about fees before you commit so you can decide what fits your situation. Please see the Fees page for more information.

My work is mainly for people who are representing themselves and don’t have a solicitor. If you’re currently using a solicitor but are thinking about stopping and going to court as a litigant in person, I can usually support you once you’ve made that decision. I can’t tell you whether to keep or leave your solicitor, but if you choose to represent yourself, I’m here to help you stay organised and prepared.

No. Family courts do not require you to have a solicitor, and many people attend as ‘litigants in person’ and represent themselves. A lot of people end up using savings, credit cards or loans on legal fees and later feel the financial pressure at the same time as the court stress. If you don’t want to do that, or can’t, you can still go to court and have support beside you from a McKenzie friend, so you’re not doing it completely on your own.