Who are McKenzie friends?

McKenzie Friends can help with court proceedings by providing moral support, taking notes, helping with case papers and giving layman support. 

A McKenzie Friend is not entitled to address the court, nor examine any witnesses, manage cases outside the court or act as an agent. However, in exceptional circumstances, a judge may grant a McKenzie Friend what is termed “rights of audience” in a particular case. The McKenzie Friend would then be allowed to address the court and conduct the litigant’s case for him/her.

To learn about all the ways we can help you, have a look at our ABOUT page!

Are McKenzie Friends regulated?

The activities of McKenzie Friends are not controlled. It is not necessary for McKenzie friends to have any legal qualification. HOWEVER, CHL's McKenzie Friends are licensed paralegals, with the licence to practice as well as being a Fellow Member of the National Association of Licensed Paralegals. As well as having practiced and having had right of audience in the High Court before. 

To find out more about the  experience our McKenzie friends have, and how the qualifications of out McKenzie Friends surpass other McKenzie friends, have a look at our ABOUT page! 

What can you do if you have a complaint about your  McKenzie Friend?

The Legal Ombudsman cannot deal with your complaint, as it can only look at service complaints about regulated legal service providers. If you use legal services provided by a McKenzie Friend, and things go wrong, you will not have the same protection that you would if you had used a regulated firm. 

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If you are paying your McKenzie Friend, you have rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.  If you are not happy with the services provided by your McKenzie Friend, please speak to him/her explaining the situation and ask them to put things right.

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CHL has never had a customer complaint, as we will treat your case with the utmost importance!

Guidance From Courts and Tribunals Judiciary about McKenzie Friends

This Guidance applies to civil and family proceedings in the Court of Appeal (Civil Division), the High Court of Justice, the County Courts and the Family Proceedings Court in the Magistrates’ Courts. It is issued as guidance (not as a Practice Direction) by the Master of the Rolls, as Head of Civil Justice, and the President of the Family Division, as Head of Family Justice.​

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It is intended to remind courts and litigants of the principles set out in the authorities and supersede the guidance contained in Practice Note (Family Courts: McKenzie Friends) (No 2) [2008] 1 WLR 2757