Going to court without a lawyer can feel overwhelming. A McKenzie friend sits with you, helps organise your papers, takes notes and quietly suggests points to raise. You stay in control of your own case with practical support beside you.
A McKenzie friend is a non-lawyer who assists a litigant in person during a court hearing. The role comes from established court practice and is recognised in civil and family courts across England and Wales. The assistance is practical: moral support, note-taking, help organising documents and quiet suggestions about points or questions you may want to raise.
We discuss your hearing notice, case type, key documents and what you want to achieve. We identify the main issues, help you prepare your points and make sure your papers are in order. You should notify the court in advance that you intend to have a McKenzie friend present.
We attend the hearing and sit beside you. During proceedings, we can pass written notes, point to relevant documents and help you keep track of the judge's questions and directions. You remain the litigant in person, decide how to conduct your case and address the court yourself.
A McKenzie friend does not have an automatic right to address the court. In exceptional circumstances, a judge may grant permission for a McKenzie friend to speak, but this must be applied for in each case. ProHearings will discuss whether an application is appropriate and help you prepare one if needed.
Employment tribunals have their own approach to representatives. A non-lawyer representative in a tribunal is not technically a McKenzie friend. If you have a tribunal hearing, contact us to discuss the right type of support for your situation.
Not automatically. A McKenzie friend assists quietly during the hearing. Speaking rights require the judge's permission, which is granted only in exceptional circumstances and must be applied for in each case.
Subject to case type and availability, yes. Family courts generally permit McKenzie friends, although the judge retains discretion. Contact us with your hearing details so we can confirm.
No. Travel is quoted separately in advance based on the court location. We confirm the total cost before you commit.
No. ProHearings is not a firm of solicitors. A McKenzie friend provides practical lay support, not legal advice. If your case needs a solicitor or barrister, we can help you identify next steps.