Services
Support In Court
There is no getting around the fact that court attendance is the single most stressful part of proceedings but a McKenzie Friend is ideally placed to help minimise the stress of the day. Whilst McKenzie Friends are not usually allowed to directly address the court, we can offer ‘quiet advice’ and moral support to you throughout each hearing.
As well in assisting with organising your paperwork on the day, many clients find that the notes taken throughout the hearing to be extremely useful when the hearing is over and trying to recall the details of what was said. The delays with orders being issued by the court only heighten the importance of having an accurate record of the hearing.
Document Management
From initial applications to final witness statements there is a significant amount of paperwork involved with all family law applications. No paperwork can be signed by your McKenzie Friend on your behalf, this is because as a Litigant in Person (someone self-representing) you have the final responsibility for all documents submitted.
I have extensive experience with drafting documents in all family court proceedings, with a particular specialism in child law. I can draft documents for your approval whether this is a position statement, witness statement, scott schedule or initial application forms. Divorce, Financial, Domestic Abuse Injunctions (Non-Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders) and all Child Law applications (Child Arrangements Orders, Specific Issue Orders and Prohibited Steps orders) are all covered.
Quality Affordable Advice
The several years of experience of Family Courts going back to 2017, and having been a Professional McKenzie friend since 2019 means that it is rare to come across a situation that I haven’t encountered previously. I can use this knowledge to guide you step-by-step through the process, considering your options at each stage, making you aware of likely outcomes of the proceedings, and how you can best present your case to positively influence them.
I can quickly get to the heart of the matter and help you organise your thoughts so that you’re fully aware which factors you raise are likely to be significant to the court and which aren’t. This ‘information management’ is crucial to the presentation of your case both in court and through paperwork.