McKenzie Friends and Support Through Court for SGO Hearings

Applying for a special guardianship order without a solicitor is common — legal aid is available for private SGO applications, but it is means- and merits-tested and does not require the domestic-abuse gateway. Many grandparents and relatives cannot afford £1,000+ in legal fees. But standing in a family courtroom on your own is daunting. Two sources of practical help exist for litigants in person: McKenzie friends and the charity Support Through Court.

What a McKenzie Friend Can Do

A McKenzie friend is a lay person — not a qualified solicitor or barrister — who sits with you in court and provides quiet support. The name comes from the 1970 case McKenzie v McKenzie, and the right to have one is recognised by the courts under Practice Guidance issued by the President of the Family Division.

A McKenzie friend is allowed to:

• Take notes during the hearing
• Help you organise your documents and find the right page when the judge asks for something
• Quietly suggest questions or points you might want to raise
• Provide moral support — just having someone next to you can make the process less overwhelming

A McKenzie friend is not allowed to:

• Speak on your behalf in court (unless the judge grants exceptional "rights of audience")
• Sign court documents for you
• Conduct litigation — they cannot file applications or serve documents in your name
• Give legal advice as if they were a solicitor

Finding a McKenzie Friend

McKenzie friends are unregulated. Anyone can call themselves one. Some charge fees — typically £50–£200 per hearing — while others volunteer through family support charities. Before choosing a paid McKenzie friend, check whether they have any family court experience and ask for references. The court can refuse to allow a McKenzie friend to sit with you if the judge has concerns about their conduct or their influence on the proceedings.

For SGO cases, a good McKenzie friend is someone who understands the basic structure of a family court hearing, knows what Forms C1 and C13A are, and can help you keep your paperwork in order. They do not need to be a legal expert — their value is organisational and emotional.

Support Through Court (Formerly the Personal Support Unit)

Support Through Court is a national charity that provides free, in-person help to people attending family court without a solicitor. Their trained volunteers are based in court buildings across England and can:

• Help you understand court letters and orders before the hearing
• Explain what will happen in the courtroom so you know what to expect
• Sit with you in court as emotional support (with the judge's permission)
• Help you fill in simple court forms at the court counter
• Signpost you to other services such as legal aid, Citizens Advice or specialist family charities

Support Through Court volunteers are not McKenzie friends in the legal sense — they do not advise on case strategy or suggest what to say to the judge. Their role is practical and pastoral.

The service is free and available on a drop-in basis at many court centres. You can also call their helpline before your hearing to talk through what to expect. Check their website for which courts have an on-site team.

Which Option Suits an SGO Hearing?

For most SGO hearings — especially uncontested ones where the local authority assessment is positive — Support Through Court volunteers provide enough support. They can help you navigate the courtroom, understand the judge's directions, and stay calm.

If the hearing is contested (a birth parent opposes the SGO, or there are disputes about contact or the support plan), a McKenzie friend with family court experience is more useful. They can help you prepare your position statement, organise your evidence bundle, and quietly prompt you during cross-examination.

Neither option replaces a solicitor for complex contested hearings. If the birth parent has legal representation and you do not, the imbalance can be significant. Check whether you qualify for legal aid for your SGO case before deciding to go it alone.

Preparing for a Hearing as a Litigant in Person

Regardless of whether you bring a McKenzie friend, preparation is what makes the difference:

• Read the local authority's assessment report carefully before the hearing — it is the most important document the judge will consider
• Prepare a short position statement (one to two pages) summarising who you are, how long you have cared for the child, and what order you are asking for
• Bring an organised bundle — the court application, the local authority report, any evidence of the child's current arrangements, and your position statement
• Arrive early — ask at the court reception for Support Through Court if you need last-minute help

The Full Process Guide

Our Special Guardianship Orders in England guide includes a hearing preparation checklist, a position statement outline, and a step-by-step walkthrough of what happens at each stage of the SGO hearing — from the first directions appointment to the final order.

See more England guides →