# McKenzie friends and paid "court helpers" — what they can, can't and must never do

> REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-30

A **McKenzie friend** is someone who accompanies you to court and helps you present your
case when you don't have a solicitor. Many are generous volunteers; a growing number are
paid helpers whose quality varies enormously. This guide explains the rules — including
the fee question, rights of audience, and the red flags. It is general information, not
legal advice.

## What a McKenzie friend can do

The principles from **McKenzie v McKenzie (1970)** and the Practice Guidance of 2010 give
a helper the right, **with the court's permission**:

- Sit beside you in court and take notes
- **Quietly advise and prompt** you during the hearing
- Help with paperwork before the hearing — drafting assistance, organising documents
- Provide emotional support and help you understand the process

The court's permission is normally given readily — but it is **discretionary**, and the
judge can refuse or restrict a particular McKenzie friend (for example where their
presence would undermine the administration of justice).

## What a McKenzie friend cannot do

- **Address the court** on your behalf — no automatic right of audience; if they want to
  speak for you, a separate application for **rights of audience** is needed and is rarely
  granted
- **Act as your agent** — conduct correspondence, sign documents for you, or manage the
  litigation
- **Receive payment for conducting litigation** — only properly authorised persons
  (solicitors, barristers) can carry on litigation for reward; paying someone to do that
  is unlawful and you lose the protections regulated lawyers give you

## The paid McKenzie friend problem

- There is **no regulation, no qualification requirement, no insurance and no complaints
  body** for fee-charging McKenzie friends — anyone can call themselves one
- The **Court of Protection and family courts have repeatedly warned** about paid helpers
  giving poor representation, overcharging, and giving legal advice without competence
- You have **no recourse** if a paid McKenzie friend's advice loses your case — no
  professional negligence claim, no ombudsman, no compensation fund
- If you pay someone for "court support", at least insist on a **written agreement**
  stating fees, what's included, and that they cannot conduct litigation or address the
  court without separate permission

## Choosing help safely

| Option | Regulated? | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solicitor (family law panel) | Yes — SRA | £150–£350+/hr | Full representation; legal aid in DA cases |
| **Unbundled solicitor advice** | Yes — SRA | Fixed fees for tasks | Pay for advice/drafting only; you do the hearings |
| **Barrister direct (Public Access)** | Yes — BSB | Fixed/quoted | Direct access for drafting and hearings |
| **Free McKenzie friend** (charities, volunteers) | No — but vetted schemes | Free | Support Through Court is the safest route |
| **Paid McKenzie friend** | **No — unregulated** | Varies | Maximum caution; no recourse if it goes wrong |

## Support Through Court — the safe free option

- An **independent charity** supporting litigants in person in courts across England and
  Wales — trained volunteers who help you understand forms, prepare documents and
  accompany you at hearings
- Free, accountable, experienced with the courts — and they will never promise outcomes
  or charge fees
- Check the national helpline or your local court's scheme

## Red flags when hiring any helper

- Guarantees of outcomes ("I win these cases") — no one can promise this
- Fees demanded in cash with no written agreement
- Advice to conceal documents, skip disclosure, or "not tell the court" something
- Claims to be able to speak for you without rights of audience
- No fixed address, company details, or insurance
- Pressure to stop you getting regulated advice ("solicitors will just take your money")

## If things went wrong with a paid helper

- Complain to the **police** if they committed fraud
- Complain to the **court** if they purported to exercise rights of audience unlawfully
- Complain to **Trading Standards** (Citizens Advice consumer service) about unfair
  commercial practices
- Rebuild: get your file back from them (you're entitled to everything you paid for) and
  switch to regulated or charity support

## Official links

- [Support Through Court (free charity support for LiPs)](https://supportthroughcourt.org/)
- [McKenzie friends — Practice Guidance (2010) (judiciary.uk)](https://www.judiciary.uk/guidance-and-resources/practice-guidance-mckenzie-friends-july-2010/)
- [Find a regulated family solicitor (Law Society)](https://solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk/)
- [Barristers — public access (Bar Standards Board)](https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/for-public/using-a-barrister.html)
- [Legal aid (gov.uk)](https://www.gov.uk/legal-aid)

---

**YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory** — we are not affiliated
with, endorsed by, or connected to HMCTS, Support Through Court, the SRA, or gov.uk. This
page is general information and is **not legal advice**.

*Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.*