Becoming a McKenzie Friend: Training, Standards & Independence
Know what genuine training looks like — and what questions to ask before joining any network.
Across the UK, McKenzie Friend 'networks' and 'services' offer training courses — some excellent, some not — and then keep practitioners within their commercial model, directing client leads through the network and charging referral or listing fees. Bridge The Gap takes a different approach: we list independent, verified McKenzie Friends who are free to run their own practice transparently.
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.
What training do McKenzie Friends need?
There is no statutory regulation of McKenzie Friends in England and Wales — no mandatory qualification, no licensing body. This means anyone can call themselves a McKenzie Friend. The best practitioners build their understanding through legal study, family court experience, and structured training courses. Look for training that covers: the legal framework (McKenzie v McKenzie [1970], Practice Guidance 2010), family proceedings rules, court etiquette and ethics, and the emotional dynamics of supporting a litigant through proceedings.
Commercial networks vs independent practice
Some organisations train McKenzie Friends and then list them on their own commercial directories — a model where client leads are channelled through the network and the McKenzie Friend's visibility depends on ongoing membership or referral arrangements. Bridge The Gap operates differently: we verify practitioners and list them with full profile transparency, without locking them into a commercial dependency. Their practice is theirs.
What Bridge The Gap's Verified Support Initiative requires
To be listed on Bridge The Gap, McKenzie Friends are reviewed on: relevant family court experience, professional conduct, transparent pricing, and client feedback. We do not charge referral fees. We do not take a commission. We are not a lead-generation service.
Questions to ask any training provider
Before committing to a McKenzie Friend training course, ask: What does the curriculum cover? Is there an exam or assessment? Will I be required to join a commercial network? Are there ongoing membership or listing fees? Can I list on independent directories? Will my client relationships be mediated through the training organisation?
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
Verified McKenzie Friends
Browse our directory of verified court support professionals — reviewed through our Verified Support Initiative.
Find SupportBridge The Gaps
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.