McKenzie Friends

From FamilyLawWiki

A McKenzie Friend is a non legally trained friend who can come to court with you. Their purpose is to help you take notes and quietly offer advice to you during the court hearing.

When in court, dealing with their own cases, people often fail to keep focussed, getting lost on minor points and forget the big issues. Being not emotionally involved a McKenzie friend is able to help keep you on track. Many McKenzie friends also have a lot of experience and can help considerably with your case.

You should send a letter of request for a McKenzie to all parties and the court, if not on the original C1 or C2 application form. If you have not done this then when you arrive at court tell the usher that XX is your McKenzie Friend and then tell the judge as you enter court - explain that XX is there to take notes for you and offer quiet support. A judge will usually agree; occasionally the other side may object. If you have objections you can say that in the interests of Equality of Arms (ie fairness) that the other side's solicitor and barrister should also leave, see also CoA McKenzie Friends.

Read the Guidance from the President's Office it is in clear English. You may want to print this out and take it to court in case you are challanged.

A McKenzie can be helpful in supporting an appeal - often a solicitor or barrister will tell you that appeal is not possible, when you have a real chance.

A McKenzie friend will usually also act as a Lay Advisor: help you put your paperwork together beore going to your, write letters, etc.

Some McKenzie friends spend a lot of time helping others and so charge for their time, this will be at a lower rate than a barrister. The better McKenzie friends are as good as the best barristers.

Other McKenzie friends do not charge for their time.

You should always offer to pay for a McKenzie's travel costs and buy him/her lunch.

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