Plain-English guide
McKenzie Friends in the Family Court
If you are representing yourself in Child Arrangements proceedings in England & Wales, you are allowed to bring someone with you. This guide explains exactly what a McKenzie Friend can do, what they cannot do, what they cost, and how to get one approved by the judge.
What is a McKenzie Friend?
A McKenzie Friend is a person who accompanies a litigant in person (someone representing themselves) into a court hearing to provide quiet, practical support. The term comes from McKenzie v McKenzie [1970], where the Court of Appeal confirmed a party’s right to reasonable assistance in court.
They are not a solicitor or barrister, and they are not “your lawyer”. You remain the person conducting your case. What a good McKenzie Friend gives you is preparation, structure and calm — which, in a Family Court hearing, is often what actually changes the outcome.
What a McKenzie Friend can and cannot do
| Can | Cannot (without permission) |
|---|---|
| Sit beside you in the hearing | Address the judge or magistrates |
| Take notes of what is said | Cross-examine the other party or witnesses |
| Quietly give advice during the hearing | Sign court forms or statements for you |
| Help you organise and paginate your bundle | Manage the case outside of court as your representative |
| Help you prepare your position statement | Hold themselves out as a regulated lawyer |
A judge can grant a right of audience — permission to speak — for a particular hearing, but it is exceptional and has to be asked for and justified. Plan on the basis that you will do the talking and your McKenzie Friend will make sure you know exactly what to say.
Who can be a McKenzie Friend?
Almost anyone: a friend, a family member, a volunteer from a charity, or a professional fee-charging McKenzie Friend. The practical limits are that they must not be a witness in your case, must keep the proceedings confidential (Family Court hearings are private), and must not have their own agenda in the dispute.
A relative can act, but be realistic: a parent or new partner who is emotionally invested rarely helps you look measured and child-focused in front of a judge.
What does a McKenzie Friend cost?
Unpaid McKenzie Friends — friends, family, charity schemes — cost nothing. Professional McKenzie Friends charge a fee, usually a fraction of a family solicitor’s hourly rate, and are lawful in England & Wales.
Because fee-charging McKenzie Friends are not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Bar Standards Board, standards vary widely. Before you pay anyone, ask about their training, how many cases they have actually supported, whether they carry insurance, what is included, and what happens if your hearing is adjourned.
How to ask the court for a McKenzie Friend
- 1. Tell the court early. Write to the court before the hearing naming your McKenzie Friend and confirming they understand the duty of confidentiality.
- 2. Provide a short CV or statement. A paragraph on their experience and confirmation they have no interest in the case is usually enough.
- 3. Say so at the start of the hearing. Tell the judge you wish to have a McKenzie Friend present and that you have notified the court.
- 4. Expect permission. There is a strong presumption in favour of allowing one. If refused, the judge must give reasons.
McKenzie Friend or Family Court Mentor?
I rebranded from McKenzie Friend to Family Court Mentor for two reasons. First, what most separated parents actually need is mentoring and coaching through the process, not just someone sitting quietly beside them on the day. Second, not all McKenzie Friends are equal — exactly as not all family solicitors are equal.
Mentoring means you understand your MIAM, your C100, your CAFCASS call, your position statement and your First Hearing before you walk into the building. That is what this site sets out, step by step.
Where to start in your case
- 1. MIAM (mediation). Required before applying, unless an exemption applies. Read the mediation guide.
- 2. The C100 application. Read the C100 walkthrough.
- 3. CAFCASS safeguarding. Read the CAFCASS guide.
- 4. Position statement. Read the statement guide.
- 5. The First Hearing (FHDRA). Read the hearing guide.
Searching for “custody”? Read child custody vs Child Arrangements Orders. For one specific decision such as schooling or relocation, see Prohibited Steps & Specific Issue Orders.
Common questions
What is a McKenzie Friend?
A McKenzie Friend is someone who sits with a litigant in person in court to give quiet support, take notes, help with case papers and give discreet advice. The name comes from the 1970 case McKenzie v McKenzie. They are not your legal representative and do not need to be a lawyer.
Who can be a McKenzie Friend?
Almost anyone: a friend, a relative, a charity volunteer or a professional (fee-charging) McKenzie Friend. The court expects them to be impartial enough to be helpful, to understand the duty of confidentiality, and not to be a witness in the case.
Can a McKenzie Friend speak in court?
Not automatically. A McKenzie Friend has no right to address the court, examine witnesses or sign documents. The judge can grant a right of audience for a specific hearing, but that is exceptional and must be applied for and justified.
Can McKenzie Friends charge a fee?
Yes. Fee-charging McKenzie Friends are lawful in England and Wales. They are not regulated by the SRA or Bar Standards Board, so quality varies considerably — ask about training, experience, insurance and references before you pay anything.
Are McKenzie Friends free?
Some are. Friends, family and charity or volunteer schemes usually help free of charge. Professional McKenzie Friends charge, typically far less than a solicitor's hourly rate.
How do I get a McKenzie Friend approved by the court?
Tell the court as early as possible, ideally in writing before the hearing, giving your McKenzie Friend's name and a short CV or statement confirming they understand confidentiality. At the hearing, say you wish to have a McKenzie Friend present. Permission is presumed unless the judge gives reasons to refuse.
Want a mentor rather than a bystander?
Book a private one-to-one case review, or work through the five steps from separation to the First Hearing.
General information & mentoring — not legal advice.