McKenzie Friends and Support Through Court in Wales Family Proceedings

If you are applying for a Special Guardianship Order or Child Arrangements Order in Wales without a solicitor, walking into a family court hearing alone is one of the most daunting parts of the process. Two sources of in-court support — McKenzie Friends and Support Through Court — can make the experience more manageable, but neither is a substitute for legal representation. Here is what each one offers and where the limits are.

What a McKenzie Friend Does

A McKenzie Friend is someone who sits beside you in court and helps you stay organised. The right comes from case law (McKenzie v McKenzie, 1970) and is recognised by the Family Procedure Rules. Any competent adult can be your McKenzie Friend — a family member, a friend, or someone you have found through a support organisation.

A McKenzie Friend may:

• Take notes during the hearing
• Help you organise your court bundle and find the right document when the judge asks for it
• Whisper advice or pass you written notes
• Help you formulate questions for witnesses (which you then ask yourself)

A McKenzie Friend may not:

• Address the court or speak on your behalf without the judge's permission
• Cross-examine witnesses or sign legal pleadings unless the judge expressly permits it
• File applications in their own name
• Act as your legal representative

The judge has discretion to exclude a McKenzie Friend if their presence is disruptive or if there are confidentiality concerns. In practice, Welsh family courts routinely allow McKenzie Friends for unrepresented litigants in SGO and Child Arrangements proceedings. Notify the court at the earliest opportunity — ideally on the application form — that you intend to have a McKenzie Friend present.

Paid McKenzie Friends: a Caution

Some people offer McKenzie Friend services for a fee. This is legal, but unregulated. A paid McKenzie Friend is not a solicitor, is not covered by professional indemnity insurance, and is not subject to the Solicitors Regulation Authority's conduct rules. If you are considering a paid service, check what they actually deliver. A good paid McKenzie Friend helps with document preparation and court-day support. A bad one gives legal advice they are not qualified to give.

Support Through Court

Support Through Court (formerly the Personal Support Unit) is a charity that provides free, practical support at family court centres across England and Wales. They have a presence at several Welsh courts, including Cardiff.

Support Through Court volunteers can:

• Help you understand court letters and procedural steps
• Sit with you in the waiting area and accompany you into the courtroom
• Help you fill in basic court forms
• Explain what happens at each stage of the hearing

They cannot give legal advice, tell you what to say, draft witness statements, or represent you. Their role is emotional and practical support — someone calm and experienced to have beside you on a stressful day.

Contact Support Through Court before your hearing to check availability at your court centre. They operate on a first-come basis and cannot guarantee a volunteer on every hearing day.

Other Options for Unrepresented Carers

If you cannot afford a solicitor and do not qualify for legal aid:

• Citizens Advice Cymru offers free initial advice and can help you understand your options
• Kinship Cymru provides a dedicated advice line for kinship carers navigating the court system
• Family Rights Group (0808 801 0366) offers expert free telephone advice on SGOs, CAOs, and care proceedings
• Child Law Advice provides an online chat and callback service for children's legal issues

For a practical walkthrough of the entire SGO application process in Wales — written specifically for people navigating the court system without a solicitor — the Kinship Care in Wales guide covers every step from the three-month notice through to the final hearing.

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