What is a McKenzie Friend?
A McKenzie Friend is someone who can support an individual who is representing themselves in court (often called a litigant in person).
They are not a solicitor or barrister, but they can provide practical and emotional support during court proceedings.
McKenzie Friends are most commonly used in family courts, including cases involving child arrangements and domestic abuse.
What Can a McKenzie Friend Do?
With the court’s permission, a McKenzie Friend can:
Sit with you in court
Take notes
Help organise paperwork
Provide quiet advice and support during the hearing
Help you understand court processes and terminology
They can be especially helpful where someone feels overwhelmed, anxious, or unsure about what to expect.
What Can’t a McKenzie Friend Do?
A McKenzie Friend:
Cannot represent you or speak on your behalf in court
Cannot give legal advice
Cannot act as your advocate (unless the court gives specific permission, which is rare)
Is not regulated in the same way as solicitors or barristers
The judge always has the final say on whether a McKenzie Friend is allowed to assist in court.
Important Things to Know
McKenzie Friends do not replace legal advice
Anyone acting as a McKenzie Friend should act in your best interests and respect confidentiality
Some McKenzie Friends charge a fee, while others offer support voluntarily.
If you are involved in court proceedings related to domestic abuse, it’s important to consider your safety and wellbeing, and to seek specialist support alongside any court support.
Our Approach
We aim to ensure that anyone accessing information about court support understands:
The limits of what a McKenzie Friend can do
The importance of safe, informed choices
How to access specialist domestic abuse support alongside legal processes.
We can help you think through what support might be most appropriate for your situation.
This information is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice.
