Not necessarily. While some McKenzie Friends may have legal backgrounds, they are not required to be legally qualified. At Finley James, our team brings substantial experience in family court matters and provides professional, compassionate support. Our McKenzie Friends are highly experienced and professionally trained, holding a broad range of up-to-date and relevant qualifications, including advanced safeguarding certifications, domestic abuse practitioner training, child mental health awareness, and counselling skills. This ensures that the support we offer is comprehensive, informed, and sensitive to the complexities of family law cases.

Yes. Your McKenzie Friend will attend court with you on the day of your hearing, either in person or remotely. Their role is to provide calm, practical support throughout the proceedings, helping you stay organised, offering quiet guidance, and ensuring you feel supported in what can often be a stressful environment. At Finley James, we understand the emotional weight of family law cases, and our McKenzie Friends are committed to standing by you professionally, punctually, and with discretion on the day of your hearing.

Yes. It is both courteous and generally expected that you inform the court in advance if you intend to bring a McKenzie Friend to your hearing. You should notify the court and the other party, ideally in writing, before the hearing date. This helps avoid any objections or delays on the day and allows the judge to be aware of your McKenzie Friend’s role. At Finley James, we can assist you with drafting this notification to ensure it’s clear, respectful, and compliant with court expectations.

The court will take any objection seriously and assess it carefully. However, judges will typically allow a McKenzie Friend to assist unless there is a compelling reason to exclude them, such as prior misconduct, disruptive behaviour, or any risk to the fairness of the proceedings. At Finley James, our McKenzie Friends are trusted, experienced, and professional. We prioritise integrity, discretion, and respect for the court process, ensuring that any support we provide upholds the highest standards and is fully compliant with judicial expectations.

A McKenzie Friend can offer invaluable support if you are representing yourself in court. Their role typically includes helping you prepare your case, providing emotional reassurance, taking notes during the hearing, and offering quiet advice or suggestions as proceedings unfold. They can also assist in organising and managing your case papers. However, they are not permitted to speak on your behalf or represent you in court unless the judge grants them specific permission, known as "rights of audience".

No. The court has a duty to ensure that every party receives a fair hearing, regardless of whether they are legally represented. While you will still be expected to follow court procedures and present your case clearly, judges are generally mindful when dealing with litigants in person and will often take extra care to ensure you understand the process. Having a professional McKenzie Friend from Finley James by your side can make a significant difference, helping you stay focused, organised, and confident, while ensuring your voice is heard respectfully and effectively in court.

Yes, your McKenzie Friend can assist you in preparing, reviewing, and organising your position statement and court bundle. They can help ensure the documents are clear, relevant, and presented in an appropriate format. However, they are not permitted to formally file documents with the court or serve them on the other party. That responsibility remains with you as a litigant in person, unless you are legally represented. At Finley James, our McKenzie Friends are experienced in guiding clients through these practical steps with care and attention to detail.