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.
Just Lost Legal Aid?
Many litigants in person start exactly here. You are not the first, and you are not alone.
When legal aid ends mid-case it can feel like the ground has moved. The case continues, the deadlines continue, and you may now be speaking for yourself. These are community observations about what often helps, not legal advice.
Really confused?
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The Gaps
Family court is full of things nobody warns you about.
We call them Gaps — the difference between what people believe about family court and what actually happens. Reading them before your hearing could change everything.
Take stock of what has been ordered
Litigants often find it helps to list the next hearing date, any deadlines the court has set, and what each side is meant to file. Orders and directions are the map of your case, so keep every one in a single folder.
Tell the court you are now acting in person
People commonly let the court and the other side know in writing that they are now representing themselves, and keep their contact details up to date so notices reach them.
Look at lower-cost ways to get support
Many litigants use a McKenzie Friend for support in court, help organising papers and preparing for hearings. Fees and free first calls vary, so asking up front is common.
Pace yourself
Tackling one deadline at a time tends to feel more manageable than trying to learn the whole process at once.
Did you know?
Most people go into family court believing things that simply aren't true.
The Gaps are short, honest explanations of the most common family court misconceptions — written in plain English, not legal jargon. Each one covers what people believe, why that belief exists, and what the court reality actually is.
How Bridge The Gap Can Help
McKenzie Friends
Browse our directory of court support professionals.
Find SupportFamily Court Reality
Plain-English analyses of the most common family court misconceptions — so you know what to actually expect.
Explore the GapsResources & Guides
Access guides to court forms, procedures, and resources to help you prepare and present your case effectively.
View ResourcesFrequently Asked Questions
Your experience matters
Have you been through family court? You know something others don't.
The Gaps are built from real litigant experiences. If you discovered something in your case that nobody warned you about — something that changed how you understood the process — your contribution could help someone else avoid the same shock.