Looking for help in your family court proceedings?Bridge The Gap is a free, community-built guide to UK family court, written by litigants and McKenzie Friends, for litigants. Real observations, plain English, and people who can help..
Having a lawyer — a solicitor or barrister — act on your behalf in your case. A representative handles correspondence, prepares and files documents, advises you on the law and strategy, and speaks for you in court (advocacy). When you have representation, your lawyer is your voice in the proceedings; the court and the other party deal with them, not you directly. A litigant in person has no representation and conducts the case themselves. A McKenzie Friend is not representation: they support you, but they cannot speak for you or act as your lawyer unless the court gives special permission. The right to representation is separate from the right to a fair trial — you can represent yourself, and many people do, but legal representation can make a real difference in complex or contested cases.
In Plain English
Hiring a lawyer to handle your paperwork and speak for you in court. If you represent yourself, you are a 'litigant in person', but having a professional voice can help with complicated cases.
This content reflects observational insights and lived community experiences. It does not constitute legal advice — always consult a qualified professional for your specific circumstances.
A "gap" is a common assumption people hold going into family court, set against what the court actually does. The bold line below is the assumption — not a fact. The reality underneath is what the court typically observes.
Gap #260
The assumption
If my partner dies without a will, I'll automatically inherit their share, or at least be entitled to stay in our home.
The reality
Unmarried partners have no automatic right to inherit under the intestacy rules, no matter how long they lived together. If the property was held as beneficial joint tenants, the survivor keeps it through survivorship, but otherwise the deceased's share passes to their children, parents, or other relatives under the intestacy rules, not automatically to the surviving partner. A claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 may be possible, but it's a claim you have to bring, with a strict six-month time limit from the first grant of representation (where there is no will, letters of administration), not an automatic entitlement.
Gap #220
The assumption
If my solicitor comes off the record, my responsibilities to the court go with them.
The reality
If your solicitor comes off the record, your obligations to the court do not go with them — they stay with you. You must file a notice of acting in person with the court immediately, including your address for service, and keep responding to all correspondence. Deadlines continue to apply and the court does not pause while you sort out new representation.
Gap #199
The assumption
I need a solicitor and/or a barrister to represent me and then I'll get what I want.
The reality
Legal representation can help you navigate procedure and present your case, but it does not guarantee any particular outcome. The court decides based on the evidence and the law — not on who has the more expensive lawyer. Many litigants in person successfully represent themselves with the right preparation.
Gap #185
The assumption
The other party has a solicitor and barrister, so that means I need one too or I'll be at a disadvantage.
The reality
Litigants in person are common in the family court, and the court has duties to manage cases fairly regardless of representation. Many people navigate proceedings successfully with a McKenzie Friend or on their own. Representation can be an advantage, but it is not a requirement and does not determine the outcome — preparation and relevance carry far more weight than who speaks for you.
Navigating court alone?
A McKenzie Friend can help you understand terms like these in the context of your case.
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