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The term McKenzie Friend covers a wide range of people who can provide support to Litigants in Person at court. You can apply to be a McKenzie Friend in Family Law Proceedings as well as Civil Law Proceedings.
Anybody can be a McKenzie friend – often they could be a family member of somebody who is a party to the proceedings, or a volunteer from a charitable organisation.
Their role is to provide guidance, moral support, take notes and help with court papers. They should not (without the courts express permission) sign any documents on the parties’ behalf, address the court during the court hearing or do any advocacy including examining witnesses.
The McKenzie friend needs permission from the court to be involved in the proceedings, however the court will only restrict them assisting if it’s in the interests of justice and fairness for them to do so.
When permission has been granted, the McKenzie friend will be allowed inside the Courtroom for the hearing, but subject to the restrictions above.
If you would like any further information or advice in relation to family law court proceedings, please contact our specialist family lawyers: Mark Vandaele on 01902 796930 (mvandaele@georgegreen.co.uk) at our Wolverhampton office or Rachel Baker on 01384 340 580 (rbaker@georgegreen.co.uk) at our Cradley Heath office.