Specialists in Family Law

Head Office, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7BE; Tel: 07936 250644
Our business hours are: Monday - Friday 9am-6pm; Saturdays 9am-3pm and Sundays 12-2pm.

Our insurance cover includes: Professional Indemnity & Commercial Legal Protection

CHILDREN MATTERS

Our Professional McKenzie Friend services:

McKenzie FriendsA Professional McKenzie Friend (the term coined by Nicola Matheson-Durrant) is the term used to describe a fee-charging (non-Solicitor, non-Barrister) family law legal adviser and assistant, who can help you prepare a family court case, and support you during a family court hearing. They are the low cost alternative to a Solicitor and Barrister.

A Professional McKenzie Friend should be very knowledgeable and experienced in a broad range of family law matters, and family court practises and procedures; should be fully insured; should be completely transparent about their knowledge, qualifications and experience; should be registered with the Information Commissioners Office; and should have a long list of authentic testimonials.

Whilst the communications between your Professional McKenzie Friend and you is not protected by ‘legal privilege’, they must never discuss or disclose any information about you/your case to third parties or on social media. (Email us for PMF advice and help here).

Resolving disputes about children with or without court help-

Whether or not you are married to or living with the other parent, your and your children’s rights under the Children Act 1989 apply. You can apply for a variety of orders if you and the other parent simply cannot agree on children arrangements, or you already have an order but the other parent is not adhering to it.

Also, under the Children Act 1989, a parent or an 18+ year old ‘child’ is entitled to apply for additional financial support from the other parent, for housing, educational and/or medical needs. They do have to have sufficient funds to provide that additional financial help though.

You certainly do not 'need' a Solicitor at all, to start things off or to move matters forward. If, after meeting you, we considered, for example, that a letter to the other ex was necessary, we could advise you how to word and structure a letter that you could write yourself. A letter from you, worded correctly, has as much procedural significance as a Solicitors letter, should you then decide to apply to the court for help if she/he was uncooperative. We can also assist you in preparing for a court hearing and support you during a court hearing, in the capacity of a Professional McKenzie Friend.

"Family law Solicitors are no longer a necessity, given the affordability and competence of Litigant In Person Assistants (aka Para Legals, McKenzie Friends, Legal Executives) and the flexibility of Public Access Barristers."

You certainly do not 'need' a Solicitor at all, to start things off or to move matters forward. If, after meeting you, we considered, for example, that a letter to the other spouse was necessary, we could advise you how to word and structure a letter that you could write yourself. A letter from you, worded correctly, has as much procedural significance as a Solicitors letter, should you then decide to apply to the court for help if she/he was uncooperative.

We can help you in a family law matter if you do not qualify for public funding and prefer not to use a high street Solicitor. We are not Solicitors, but with access to over 100 legal consultants (aka McKenzie Friends and Legal Executives) available across England & Wales, we are ready to work hard for your success in and out of Court.

Divorce, Children Act solutions and financial settlements are not an exact science, as every case is different. However, you can rely on us for a high standard of service, transparency and no hidden costs, so, if you email us your enquiry now, we wil do our very best to help

meetingLITIGANT IN PERSON - McKenzie Friend

The Family Law Clinic specialises in providing professional Litigant In Person Assistant (aka McKenzie Friend) within England & Wales.
Nicola Matheson-Durrant, leading UK professional Litigant In Person Assistant (aka McKenzie Friend) , trains all Family Law Clinic's advisers in the current rules and guidance on Litigant In Person Assistant (aka McKenzie Friend) , and coaches litigants in person who would prefer to attend court on their own, without support.

CHILDREN ACT 1989
For help to effectively challenge
CAFCASS REPORTS & RECOMMENDATIONS
for being biased against you, incorrect or incompetent and to remove the Cafcass Officer please call us or send us an email with the details.


Children Act

court help LOW COST COURT HELP
We can help with everything

We will help prepare your case and attend Court with you. Court forms, advice, case preparation and court attendance for applicants and/or respondents in family & matrimonial law matters, such as :


bulletdivorce advice, cohabitation and property disputes,
bullet maintenance, Form E, emergency and domestic violence,
bulletland, property, mortgage & property repossession matters.