McKenzie Friend
Why use a McKenzie Friend in place of a Solicitor or Barrister?
Although there are many reasons why people may choose to use a McKenzie Friend instead of instructing a solicitor or barrister, the main reason is that using a McKenzie friend is more cost-effective, (charging less than 1/3 of the hourly rate of Solicitors, many offer fixed fees). A McKenzie Friend can provide an equally professional service. Another reason often shared by clients is that they feel more in control of thier case and outcome and feel more comfortable with a McKenzie Friend. Clients also say they find it easier to deal with a professional and experienced McKenzie Friend. So there is an alternative solution to Solicitor or going it alone, you can represent yourself, with a professional and experienced McKenzie Friend's guidance throughout the process.
What can a McKenzie Friend do?
Many roles of a Solicitor can also be carried out as a McKenzie Friend, such as:
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Letter Writing,
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Document Preparation, such as Application Forms, Position Statements, Skeleton Argument,
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Attending court with you,
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Negotiating with the other side outside the court room,
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Note taking and preparing questions/submissions in advance of the hearing
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On occasion, and with permission from the Judge, speaking on your behalf.
What can a McKenzie Friend not do?
A McKenzie Friend cannot:
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Sign or send papers to court on your behalf, we can prepare documents for your signature.
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Address the court, or examine any witnesses. On occasion, Judges have granted McKenzie Friends, the right to speak on behalf of the client.
We suggest that you choose your McKenzie Friend very carefully and find someone who you can trust and who you feel comfortable with. Research has been undertaken into the role of McKenzie Friends by the Legal Services Consumer Panel which can be accessed by using the following link:
http://www.legalservicesconsumerpanel.org.uk/publications/research and reports/documents/2014%2004%2017%20MKF_Final.pdf
Contact me here for further information or for a free initial consultation.
What is a McKenzie Friend and how can Deborah Nelson Family Law help?
A McKenzie friend, provides people who wish to represent themselves, the guidance, assistance and support that they need with their case. For many different reasons, people decide not to instruct a solicitor or barrister to represent them or cannot afford to, or do not want to pay Solicitors fees. If you are representing yourself you are known as a Litigant in Person (LIP) and a McKenzie Friend can help you. Deborah Nelson Family Law can help with divorce, finances, children, and domestic violence aswell as completing court forms, correspondence, preparing statements, devising strategies and tactics, as well as attending court with you and supporting and guiding you through the court process.
Why use a McKenzie Friend in place of a Solicitor or Barrister?
Although there are many reasons why people may choose to use a McKenzie Friend instead of instructing a solicitor or barrister, the main reason is that using a McKenzie friend is more cost-effective, READ MORE
about this and what a McKenzie Friend can and cannot do.
How we can help you
A legally trained and experienced McKenzie Friend can carry out many of the roles of a Solicitor. With Deborah Nelson Family Law you get the added advantage of using someone who has 15 years experience of practice as a Solicitor (now non practising) who knows the law and procedure in Family Law. So if you need help in or out of Court throughout the Court Process or for just part of it we can help you. Other ways we can help you includes:
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Letter Writing
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Help with filling out Court Papers and Court Forms
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Document Preparation, such as Application Forms, Position Statements, Skeleton Arguments, and help with Witness Statements
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Helping with representing yourself at Court,
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McKenzie Friend Support and Guidance in Court
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Negotiating with the other side outside the court room,
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Help with cross examination at Court by assisting preparing questions/submissions in advance of the hearing
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On occasion, and with permission from the Judge, speaking on your behalf in Court
Please contact me here for further information or for a free initial consultation