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
Whilst you may not be a practicing Solicitor or Barrister, or have no legal background at all, that does not preclude Professional McKenzie Friends (PMF) from aspiring to and adhering to a set of professional standards and ethics.
Since 2010, all we have ever heard is what a paid or fee-charging McKenzie Friend cannot be allowed to do, as set out in the President's Guidance on McKenzie Friends, and often spouted at us at the start of court proceedings! That's all very well, but there are a whole raft of things that PMF's can and should do.
Since I started operating as a PMF and then training others, I have always set high standards, both as a business and as a service provider. The UK needs far more affordable, competent Professional McKenzie Friends. Whenever I am contacted by aspiring or new McKenzie Friends seeking my advice, this is what I say:
1. Create your own business name and website, and have a unique brand. Distinguish yourself from other PMFs.
2. Advertise and promote yourself regularly, locally and nationally, on social media, and in your local post offices, Costa Coffees, supermarkets and corner shops. How else will anyone find out about you?!
3. Always carry business cards.
4. Charge a competitive hourly fee to attract clients.
5.Don't rely on or align yourself with 'agents' to obtain clients. Spread yourself around. Remain independent. Be cautious of agencies and directories, especially because you just won't really know about the integrity, reputations and track records of their 'admins' and their 'members'.
6. Consider promoting yourself on the Society of Professional McKenzie Friends website.
7. Obtain professional indemnity insurance. Professionalism, integrity and consistency are the key.
8 .Prepare a polished, comprehensive CV, which the family court must always be supplied at each hearing, by your clients.
9 .Have clear Terms & Conditions on your business website. Never operate outside the boundaries of the 2010 Presidents Guidance on McKenzie Friends.
10. Register as Data Controller with the https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/data-protection-fee/register/
11. Register with HMRC, and keep on their good side
Simple, and obvious to some, you may think, but you would be surprised. Those 11 points are just the start. The rest is about being organised, transparent, efficient, honest, positive and well informed.
Above all, even though PMFs may not be governed and regulated, your ethics and maintaining high standards are key to attracting and retaining clients, and being recommended to others by your family, friends and clients. Being a PMF is an admirable profession, but only if it attracts and retains the right people in it.
Our clients often migrate to us due to receiving a poor quality or dishonest services, at a rip-off cost, and they are seeking affordability, honesty and integrity. They should not be let down.
Recently, LinkedIn has featured many articles about the traditional legal profession, naming the Law Society, the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Crime Prosecution Service, written by John Barwell. They make shocking and worrying reading about the economic crimes facilitated by and within those traditional legal professions.
PMF's must never be associated with or identified as the same as the inscrutable elements within the traditional legal professions. We must have and operate by very high standards.
Training Course for Professional McKenzie Friends
| • in a way that upholds the constitutional principle of the rule of law, and the proper administration of justice • in a way that upholds public trust and confidence in the PMF's profession and in legal services provided by lay persons • in a way so you do not abuse your position by taking unfair advantage of clients or others • with independence • with integrity • in the best interests of each client • within the bounds of the 2010 President's Guidance. • In a way so you do not mislead or attempt to mislead your clients, the court or others, either by your own acts or omissions, or allowing or being complicit in the acts or omissions of others (including your client). |