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.

All past editions

The Newsletter

June 2026

Everything added to Bridge the Gap in June 2026, in one place.

New court realities

regarding the new government consultation "Just make an accusation and you will walk away with more money"Allegations will not taken at face value. Where they are disputed, the court would test them at a fact-finding hearing before they affected any financial outcome.29 Jun 2026
regarding the new government consultation "Cohabiting will be treated the same as divorce"The cohabitation route will be capped and needs-based. The proposals are explicit: a cohabitant should not end up better off than a married couple in the same financial…29 Jun 2026
Common assumption prior to the new government consultation on co-habitation "We are common-law married so I am already protected"Common-law marriage does not exist in England and Wales. Right now, cohabiting partners have very few legal rights. That is the precise gap these reforms are trying to close.29 Jun 2026
regarding the new government consultation "There will be no way to opting out of the proposed cohabitation rules"The framework would apply automatically — but couples can agree to opt out. Planning ahead together means keeping control of what happens.29 Jun 2026

New dilemmas

New case studies

Also worth reading

Please note

Please note: Nothing on this website constitutes legal advice and we are not liable for any reliance on the information provided. Family court rules and procedures can change, and whilst this was correct at the time of writing, circumstances may have changed since publication. For up-to-date guidance, please refer to Gov.uk or consult a qualified legal professional.

We use essential cookies to stay signed in and remember this choice. With your permission we also use Google Analytics to see which pages help people most. Privacy Policy