McKenzie Friend vs Solicitor: What Is the Difference in the Family Court?
The difference between a McKenzie Friend and a solicitor in the family court is significant.
A solicitor is a legally qualified and regulated professional. Solicitors may provide legal advice, prepare court documents, conduct litigation where authorised and represent clients in court. They are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and are normally required to carry professional indemnity insurance.
A McKenzie Friend usually supports a litigant in person by:
• providing practical and emotional support
• helping to organise evidence and court bundles
• taking notes during hearings
• quietly advising the litigant in court
• assisting with position statements, witness statements and other documents
• helping the litigant understand family court procedure
A McKenzie Friend does not automatically have a right of audience and cannot ordinarily address the court or question witnesses unless the judge grants permission.
McKenzie Friends are also generally unregulated. Standards, experience and the level of service provided can therefore vary considerably.
Now, having said that…
McKenzie Picave is not a conventional McKenzie Friend service.
We carry professional indemnity insurance, as a solicitor’s practice would be expected to do.
We maintain close professional relationships with experienced family law solicitors, barristers and direct access counsel, allowing clients to obtain additional specialist representation where their case requires it.
We provide practical family law guidance built upon 20 years of experience in and around the family courts.
We assist clients with:
• child arrangements proceedings
• domestic abuse allegations
• financial remedy cases
• court applications and responses
• position statements and witness statements
• hearing preparation and case strategy
• document drafting and evidence presentation
• in-court support throughout England and Wales
Where the court grants permission, we may also speak on behalf of a client during a hearing.
We do not pretend to be solicitors, and we do not blur the important legal distinction between regulated legal representation and McKenzie Friend support.
What we do offer is experienced, professional and cost-conscious assistance for people who need help navigating the family court but cannot—or do not wish to—pay traditional solicitors’ fees throughout their case.
There are McKenzie Friends. Then there is McKenzie Picave.
#McKenzieFriend #McKenziePicave #FamilyCourtSupport #UKFamilyCourt #FamilyLawUK #LitigantInPerson #ChildArrangements #FamilyCourtHelp #CourtSupport #LegalDocumentDrafting #FamilyLawAdvice #AccessToJustice #DirectAccessBarrister #FinancialRemedy #ThatFamilyLawGuy
Share this post: