McKenzie Friend Manchester — family court support directory
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-31
What a McKenzie Friend does in Manchester
If you are representing yourself at the Manchester Civil Justice Centre (Bridge Street West) or another Greater Manchester family court, a McKenzie Friend can sit with you in the hearing, take notes, help organise case papers, and quietly advise you. They cannot conduct your case or usually speak for you, and McKenzie Friends are not regulated like solicitors or barristers. The judiciary's Practice Guidance on McKenzie Friends sets out what they may do.
Verified services covering Manchester
- Family Court Support (familycourtsupportmckenziefriend.co.uk) — Manchester-based McKenzie Friend service (Christopher James Coutanche) offering low-cost support at Manchester family courts, including help with child arrangements, non-molestation matters, and financial remedy cases: https://familycourtsupportmckenziefriend.co.uk/family-courts-manchester-enquires-support-at-court
- Find a McKenzie Friend directory (findamckenziefriend.com) — lists McKenzie Friends covering Manchester, including DBS-checked ("verified DBS") individuals: https://findamckenziefriend.com/united-kingdom/england/manchester
- McKenzie Friend Services — nationwide operator with a stated Manchester office, offering help with C100 applications, Cafcass preparation, hearings and bundle preparation: https://www.mckenziefriendservice.co.uk
Manchester family court
Family cases are mainly heard at the Manchester Civil Justice Centre. Confirm the exact venue and contact details on the official GOV.UK court finder: https://www.gov.uk/find-court-tribunal
Free alternatives
- Support Through Court — free volunteer support for litigants in person (no legal advice): https://supportthroughcourt.org
- Check legal aid eligibility: https://www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid
Things to check before paying anyone
- Ask for written fees, experience, DBS status, and a short CV (judges can require this before allowing assistance).
- McKenzie Friends are unregulated: no required training, insurance, or qualifications — verify everything yourself before engaging.
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.