Personal support
McKenzie Friend hearing support
Practical preparation and quiet support for people representing themselves in civil proceedings.
Free introductory consultation — 15 to 30 minutes. This is a request; Billy or Pravesh will ring you to agree a time. No obligation to proceed.
What a McKenzie Friend can and cannot do
If you are representing yourself in a civil or family court, you can usually have a McKenzie Friend with you. The current guidance is the Practice Guidance: McKenzie Friends (Civil and Family Courts), issued in July 2010. You remain the person bringing or defending the case.
Can: Give moral support; Take notes; Help with your case papers; Offer quiet suggestions. Cannot: Act as your agent; Sign court documents or manage your case; Address the court or make submissions; Question witnesses.
Before the hearing
Most of the work happens before the day itself. This is how we can help:
Before: Organise papers and prepare your own notes. Then: On the day: Quiet support and help finding the right page. Then: After: Keep your notes and papers together
Preparation can be by Zoom, phone or email, at a pace that suits you. Go through your own notes with us so you know where everything is.
Letting the court know
You do not need to justify wanting this help. In practice: 1) tell the court and the other side as early as you can that you would like a McKenzie Friend with you; 2) give the name of the person who will attend; 3) be ready for the judge to ask briefly who they are and how they are helping you. The judge decides whether to allow it.
Have a hearing in Luton? See our local page
On the day
You present your own case. We stay beside you within the limits in the guidance.
Fees
Read the written scope before deciding to go ahead. How our fees work
If the court moves your hearing, your fee carries over to the new date. If the hearing does not go ahead, or the judge does not permit us to attend, we refund the attendance fee, less any travel costs already booked and agreed with you in writing.
When you need a solicitor instead
Here For You Support Services is not a law firm or an SRA-regulated solicitors' practice, and we are not approved or appointed by the courts. We do not tell you what your legal rights are, how strong your case is or what legal arguments to make.
If you need advice on any of those, a legal deadline, or someone to speak for you in court, please talk to a solicitor, a barrister or a free advice service. We are happy to help you find one. Help and support lines
We cannot guarantee any outcome or promise a result. What we can promise is our full commitment and dedication to helping you prepare.
Situations we help with
These describe the kinds of situations we support. They are not accounts of individual clients, and every case is different.
- A parent preparing for a child arrangements hearing: putting messages, dates and school letters into a clear timeline, and sitting beside them on the day.
- Someone defending a small claim: organising invoices, photos and letters into a tidy bundle, and helping them plan what they want to say.
- A tenant facing a possession hearing: gathering the notices, rent records and repair letters, and helping them understand what to expect in the courtroom.
Meet Billy and Pravesh
Pravesh Rajdev, an experienced McKenzie Friend with more than 20 years of hands-on experience, can help you organise your paperwork and prepare calmly for what comes next.
Free help
These services are free. They can help in ways we cannot.
Support Through Court
0300 081 0006Volunteers who help people facing court alone. They do not give legal advice and cannot take calls from withheld numbers.
Civil Legal Advice
0345 345 4345Free legal advice by phone if you qualify for legal aid. Call charges apply; you can ask for a free call back.
Who this support is for
For people representing themselves at a civil or family court hearing who would like someone calm beside them, before and on the day. You present your own case; we help you feel ready to do it.
How it works
- 1
Tell us what's happened
Tell us about the letter, form or hearing and the practical help you need.
- 2
Agree the scope
We explain the practical tasks and confirm them in writing.
- 3
Prepare and attend
We help you get ready and discuss attendance and availability.
How our fees workWhere and how we provide support
Talk through your hearing
Tell us what is coming up and we will explain honestly whether our support is right for you.
Book a free consultationPlease don't send documents or personal details until we've agreed how we'll work together.