McKenzie Friend Leeds — family court support directory
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-31
What a McKenzie Friend does in Leeds
If you are a litigant in person at Leeds family court, a McKenzie Friend can sit with you at hearings, take notes, help with case papers, and quietly give advice. They cannot act as your solicitor or advocate unless the judge grants permission, and they are not regulated legal professionals — anyone can call themselves a McKenzie Friend. The governing rules come from the judiciary's Practice Guidance on McKenzie Friends.
Verified services covering Leeds
- Find a McKenzie Friend (mckenziefriendservice.co.uk) — operates a Leeds family court support page offering a free initial consultation and help with forms, hearings, position statements, bundles, and evidence: https://www.mckenziefriendservice.co.uk/leeds
- Find a McKenzie Friend directory (findamckenziefriend.com) — lists McKenzie Friends covering Leeds, some marked "verified DBS": https://www.findamckenziefriend.com/united-kingdom/england/leeds/mckenzie-friend
- McKenzie Friend UK Network (mckenziefrienduk.net) — national network founded by Philip Kedge, providing cost-effective McKenzie Friend support and training, covering courts across England including Leeds: https://mckenziefrienduk.net
Leeds family court
Family cases in Leeds are heard at Leeds Combined Court Centre and family hearing centres. Confirm the venue, address and contact details for your case on the official GOV.UK court finder: https://www.gov.uk/find-court-tribunal
Free alternatives
- Support Through Court — free, trained volunteers who support litigants in person (they do not give legal advice): https://supportthroughcourt.org
- Check whether you qualify for legal aid: https://www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid
Things to check before paying anyone
- Ask for their experience, DBS status, fees in writing, and a short CV (judges can ask for this).
- Remember: McKenzie Friends are unregulated, have no required qualifications or insurance, and cannot conduct litigation or address the court without permission.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Services are listed from their own public websites and directories; always verify directly before engaging anyone. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent directory; we take no referral fees.
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.