{"id":113,"date":"2025-11-02T13:01:18","date_gmt":"2025-11-02T13:01:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/everymanjustice.co.uk\/?p=113"},"modified":"2025-11-24T10:16:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T10:16:16","slug":"how-to-spot-a-good-mckenzie-friend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/everymanjustice.co.uk\/hu\/how-to-spot-a-good-mckenzie-friend\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Spot a Good McKenzie Friend (and Avoid the Rogues)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Choosing a good McKenzie Friend can make a huge difference in your family court case\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you step into the family court system without a solicitor, everything can feel like a maze of forms, deadlines and legal language. That\u2019s where a McKenzie Friend<\/strong> can make all the difference \u2014 they can help you stay calm, explain what\u2019s happening, and make sure your story is clearly presented to the court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But not every McKenzie Friend is the same. Some are experienced and principled; others over-promise or simply don\u2019t understand the limits of the role. A few have even damaged people\u2019s cases through poor conduct or unrealistic advice.
So how do you tell the difference?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why choosing the right McKenzie Friend matters<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The McKenzie Friend role is protected under English law \u2014 anyone representing themselves (a litigant in person<\/em>) has the right to quiet support in court. A good McKenzie Friend knows where their line ends: they help you prepare and understand, but you<\/em> remain in charge of your case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem is that there\u2019s no formal regulation. Anyone can call themselves a McKenzie Friend, charge money, and start advertising online. That freedom helps keep support affordable \u2014 but it also attracts a mix of people with very different motives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The four types recognised by the Legal Services Consumer Panel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research has shown McKenzie Friends aren\u2019t one single group. The Legal Services Consumer Panel identified four broad categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Friend or Family Member<\/strong> \u2013 usually unpaid, motivated by loyalty and goodwill.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Voluntary Supporter<\/strong> \u2013 often linked with charities or peer groups; practical but not professional.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Paid Traditional Role<\/strong> \u2013 provides preparation help, attends hearings, takes notes, and keeps within clear boundaries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Paid Extended Role<\/strong> \u2013 more hands-on, sometimes drafting documents or speaking where a judge allows.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Most reputable McKenzie Friends fall somewhere between categories 3 and 4. Problems arise when someone in the \u201cextended\u201d group starts acting like a lawyer \u2014 without the training or responsibility that goes with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    What the 2017 university research discovered<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In A Study of Fee-Charging McKenzie Friends and their Work in Private Family Law Cases<\/em> (Smith, Hitchings & Sefton, University of Bristol 2017), the authors interviewed dozens of active McKenzie Friends and clients. They found five recurring motivations<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1\ufe0f<\/strong>\u20e3 The Business Opportunist<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sees the gap left by legal-aid cuts and builds a business around it. Some are ethical entrepreneurs who offer genuine value; others treat desperate parents as a sales funnel. Ask about written terms and pricing \u2014 honest professionals have nothing to hide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2\ufe0f<\/strong>\u20e3 The Redirected Specialist<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Often an ex-solicitor, mediator or paralegal who left regulated practice to offer affordable help. Usually competent and practical, though they must still remember they\u2019re unregulated<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3\ufe0f<\/strong>\u20e3 The Good Samaritan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Cares deeply about fairness and may charge very little. Their empathy can be a lifeline \u2014 but make sure they still keep boundaries and professionalism. Even compassion needs structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    4\ufe0f<\/strong>\u20e3 The Family-Justice Crusader<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Motivated by their own painful case. Their insight can be valuable, but beware anyone whose passion turns into hostility toward courts or Cafcass. The system rewards calm, not confrontation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    5\ufe0f<\/strong>\u20e3 The Rogue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Thankfully rare, but damaging. Takes large fees, offers false promises, may mislead clients or even impersonate professionals. These are the cases that make headlines and tarnish everyone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Not every McKenzie Friend is the same. Some are experienced and principled, others over-promise or simply don\u2019t understand the limits of the role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    According to the Legal Services Consumer Panel\u2019s research (2017)<\/a>, there are several types of McKenzie Friends \u2014 from voluntary helpers to paid professionals \u2014 but quality and reliability vary greatly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    How to recognise the good ones<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A trustworthy McKenzie Friend will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n