McKenzie Friend Support
Professional support for litigants in person in civil and family courts
Introduction
If you are representing yourself in civil or family court proceedings, you are entitled to bring a McKenzie Friend to provide practical support. Crown Advisors provides professional McKenzie Friend services to litigants in person across England and Wales.
What a McKenzie Friend Can Do
- Provide moral support throughout the hearing
- Take detailed notes of proceedings
- Assist with case papers and documentation before and during the hearing
- Quietly advise on the conduct of the case
Important Scope Information
As set out in the Practice Guidance issued by the Master of the Rolls, a McKenzie Friend does not hold an automatic right to address the court, speak to the judge, or examine witnesses. Crown Advisors attends as a McKenzie Friend, not as a legal representative. You remain a litigant in person throughout. Any application for right of audience rests with the judge’s discretion and is not a standard feature of this service.
Courts Where We Provide This Service
- County Court — all tracks and case types
- High Court — civil proceedings
- Family Court — all family proceedings
- Magistrates Court — civil family proceedings
Crown Advisors is not a law firm and is not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or any other legal services regulator. We do not provide reserved legal activities as defined by the Legal Services Act 2007. These include the conduct of litigation, the exercise of rights of audience in courts where not permitted, and the provision of legal advice on the merits of a legal claim. Our services are advisory, documentary, and support-based in nature. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies to all services we provide. We hold professional indemnity insurance and operate a named complaints procedure. If you are dissatisfied with our service, please refer to our Complaints page.