What is a McKenzie Friend?

A McKenzie Friend is a person who supports a litigant in person in court by taking notes, helping with paperwork and offering practical and moral support. They are not a solicitor and do not provide legal representation unless the court grants additional rights.

Can I go to family court without a solicitor?

Yes. Many people represent themselves in UK family court as litigants in person. Bridge The Gap shares community observations and resources to help you understand the process. It does not provide legal advice.

What is Bridge The Gap?

Bridge The Gap is a community-built platform by litigants and McKenzie Friends that highlights the gaps between what people assume about family court and what actually happens.

Reference Guide

Legal Terms Glossary

Plain-English explanations of the family court language you'll encounter — from court orders to procedural terms. Search, filter by category, and tap any term for the full definition.

Children41

Court Procedure130

Divorce11

Documents54

Family Procedure Rules42

Finances154

General19

Legislation4

Mediation1

Orders & Decisions9

People & Roles21

Protection Orders4

Protective Orders10

These definitions are plain-English explanations to help you recognise the language of family court — they are observations, not legal advice. For advice on your situation, speak to a solicitor or a McKenzie Friend.

Knowledge is Power

You are fully responsible for your own case. Never hand your life over to anyone without a full understanding of what is happening and why — Bridge The Gap exists so you always know enough to stay in control.

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Legal Terms Glossary

Children41

Adoption Order

Article 13(b) (Hague Convention)

Article 8 (ECHR)

C100 Form

C1A Form

C2 Form

C4 Form

C6 Form

C7 Form

C8 Form

C9 Form

Cafcass

Capital Provision for Housing (Schedule 1)

Child

Child Arrangements Order

Child Impact Report

Child of the Family

Clawback (Child Support)

Contact Centre

Custody

DRA (Dispute Resolution Appointment)

FHDRA (First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment)

Final Hearing (Child Arrangements)

Gillick Competence

Habitual Residence

High Conflict (Parents)

Legal Parenthood

No Order Principle

PD12J (Practice Direction 12J)

Parental Alienation

Parental Responsibility (PR)

Part 12 (Children Proceedings)

Practice Direction 12A

Practice Direction 12B

Presumption of Parental Involvement

Prohibited Steps Order

Safeguarding (Children Proceedings)

School Fees Order

Section 7 Report

Section 91(14) Order

Specific Issue Order

Court Procedure130

Accelerated First Appointment Procedure

Adjournment

Adjournment

Adverse Inferences

Allegation

Allocation (of Case)

Appeal

Appeal

Arbitral Award

Arbitration

Arbitration (Family)

Arbitrator

Article 6 (ECHR)

Assertion

Bailiff (Family Court)

Balance of Probabilities

Bench Warrant for Arrest

Beyond Reasonable Doubt

Burden of Proof

Business Days

C79

Case Law

Case Management Hearing

Child Arrangements Programme

Child Focused Courts

Committal to Prison (Debtors Act 1869)

Consolidation of Proceedings

Contempt Application (FC600)

Contempt in the Face of the Court

Contempt of Court

Control of Documents

Costs

Court

Court-Appointed Interpreter

Cross-Application

Cross-Examination