McKenzie Friend services in the UK — verified organisations

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-29

What a McKenzie friend is

A McKenzie friend is a person who supports a litigant in person at court. They can sit beside you, take notes, help organise documents, quietly advise you, and address the court if the judge permits. They cannot act as your lawyer or manage your case. See our McKenzie friend guide for the full picture.

Verified McKenzie friend services

The following services were verified from publicly available sources:

1. Family Law Assistance

Coverage: England & Wales (courts nationwide)
Website: familylawassistance.co.uk
Contact: Steven Wade (nearly 20 years' experience as a family law adviser/McKenzie Friend)

2. McKenzie Friend UK Network Ltd

Coverage: England & Wales
Website: mckenziefrienduk.net
Contact: Philip Kedge (regional contacts available via the network)

3. Access Law Group

Coverage: England & Wales (nationwide)
Website: accesslawgroup.co.uk
Contact: 020 3928 7807
Note: provides professional McKenzie Friend support nationwide — not just London

4. West London Family Court UK

Coverage: London and surrounding areas
Website: mckenziefriendlawsupport.co.uk
Note: family law, employment and civil claims support

The Society of Professional McKenzie Friends (SPMF)

The SPMF is a membership body for McKenzie friends who agree to a code of conduct. Members can be found via their directory at mckenziefriends.directory.

How to choose a McKenzie friend

Ask about their experience — how many cases have they supported?
Ask about fees — some are free, some charge daily rates (typically £50–£100/day)
Check they have insurance (professional indemnity) — not mandatory but a good sign
Meet before the hearing — make sure you're comfortable with them
Read the Practice Guidance on McKenzie Friends (courts must be told, and consent given)

Red flags

Anyone promising to "win" your case
Anyone who will advocate for you without the judge's permission
Anyone who charges large upfront fees without a written agreement
Anyone who is not transparent about their non-legal status

Free alternatives

Support Through Court (charity) — free, in most major courts, see our STC pages
Citizens Advice — free advice and form-filling help
Rights of Women — free legal advice helplines for women
Family Law Assistance — low-cost advice and support

Official links

Practice Guidance (McKenzie Friends): https://www.judiciary.uk
Family Law Assistance: https://familylawassistance.co.uk
McKenzie Friend UK Network: https://www.mckenziefrienduk.net

This page is general information, not legal advice. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory, takes no referral fees from McKenzie friends, and is not affiliated with any listed service or the judiciary.

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.