McKenzie Friend — What They Can Do and How to Prepare for Your Meeting
Family court · England and Wales · Updated June 2026
A McKenzie Friend is someone who accompanies a litigant in person to court to provide quiet support, take notes, and offer advice. They are named after a 1970 Court of Appeal case. They can make a significant difference — but only if you use the time with them well.
What a McKenzie Friend can and cannot do
✓ They CAN
- Sit beside you in court
- Take notes during the hearing
- Quietly advise you during proceedings
- Help you organise your documents
- Review your witness and position statements
- Help prepare questions for cross-examination
- Speak in court if the judge permits
✗ They CANNOT
- Represent you or speak without permission
- Act as your solicitor
- Sign documents on your behalf
- File documents with the court
- Charge without authorisation
Important: The court can refuse a McKenzie Friend if it believes their presence would be contrary to the interests of justice. This is rare but does happen.
How to find a McKenzie Friend
- Families Need Fathers — run a McKenzie Friend scheme with trained volunteers
- Personal recommendations — family court Facebook groups often have local recommendations
- Duty solicitors — at your first hearing ask whether a duty solicitor is available for brief free advice
How to prepare for your first meeting
What to bring
- A chronology of key events with dates
- All court documents and CAFCASS correspondence
- Your evidence — messages, emails, reports
- A clear statement of what orders you want
Questions to ask
- What should my position statement say?
- How do I respond to the allegations against me?
- What evidence do I need before the hearing?
- What will the judge be looking for?
MyCaseOrganiser's Hearing Pack includes a shareable PDF export — everything organised in one document you can email to your McKenzie Friend before your meeting.
Prepare everything before your McKenzie Friend meeting
Upload your documents, build your timeline, generate a position statement draft. Export as a PDF ready to share.
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Free to start · Hearing Pack includes shareable PDF export
Not legal advice. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your situation.