1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES

 

1.1 Nature of Services

The McKenzie Friend provides procedural guidance, strategic support, document assistance and court attendance in accordance with Family Court guidance.

The McKenzie Friend:

• Does not provide formal legal advice

• Does not conduct litigation

• Does not represent clients

• Does not sign court documents

• Does not contact the court or opposing party on your behalf

The client remains fully responsible for their case and all decisions made.

 

1.2 Working Hours & Response Times

Working hours are 9:30am – 6:00pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

Communications received outside these hours will not be reviewed until the next working day.

The McKenzie Friend will endeavour to respond within 48 working hours, although response times may occasionally be longer due to court attendance or workload.

The McKenzie Friend does not operate an emergency service.

 

1.3 Communication Policy

WhatsApp may be used for brief administrative messages only.

Substantive guidance will not be conducted via WhatsApp. Any such messages will be responded to via email and billed at the standard hourly rate.

Guidance provided via social media or outside paid appointments does not form part of contracted services.

 

2. CONSULTATIONS & DOCUMENT REVIEW

 

2.1 Booking & Fees

All appointments must be booked online and paid in advance.

Current fees:

New Client Introduction (20 minutes) – Free
First Consultation (2 hours) – £145
Ongoing Consultation (1 hour) – £95 and (30 mins) - £65
5-Hour Package – £425

 

2.2 5/6-Hour Package Terms

The 5/6-hour package:

• May be used as five 1-hour sessions or extended to two 3-hour bookings

• Is valid for 3 months

• Is non-transferable

• Is non-refundable once commenced

 

2.3 Time Recording

All time is charged in minimum 30-minute increments and includes:

• Calls

• Emails

• Document review

• Drafting

• Administrative work

Completed work will not be released until payment is received.

 

2.4 Non-Transferability of Hours

Hours booked for Consultations and Document Review are separate from Court Attendance bookings.

Time purchased for consultations cannot be interchanged, transferred, credited or carried over to court attendance bookings, and vice versa.

Each service type is charged and allocated independently.

 

2.5 Witness Preparation

Witness preparation sessions may be conducted in person or via video call.

All evidence given under oath must be entirely the client’s own.

Preparation is to understand procedure at cross-examination, acquaint the party with the bundle and their evidence and talk through questions that may arise.

The McKenzie Friend will not alter or influence sworn evidence or tell you what to say.

 

2.6 Payment Enforcement

The McKenzie Friend’s hourly rate is payable for time spent pursuing outstanding invoices.

Legal or court costs incurred in recovering unpaid sums will be payable by the client.

The McKenzie Friend reserves the right to pursue unpaid invoices through the Small Claims Court.

 

3. FINANCIAL CONSENT ORDER DRAFTING

 

These terms apply specifically to the Financial Consent Order Drafting service and are in addition to these Standard Terms & Conditions.

 

3.1 Scope of Service

The Consent Order Drafting service is available only where both parties have already reached agreement as to the terms of their financial settlement.

The McKenzie Friend does not negotiate settlement terms between parties as part of this service.

The agreed terms must be confirmed by the client prior to drafting commencing.

 

3.2 What the Fixed Fee Includes

The fixed-fee Consent Order Drafting package includes:

• One 45-minute consultation call

• Review of the client’s completed financial disclosure form

• Cross-checking Form D81 against the financial figures provided by the client

• Drafting one Consent Order based strictly on the information supplied by the client

• One reasonable revision to the draft Consent Order if required

Drafting is based solely on the information provided by the client.

The client is responsible for ensuring that all financial information supplied is complete and accurate.

 

3.3 Revisions & Additional Work

The fixed fee includes one draft and one reasonable revision only.

Any further amendments, additional consultations, redrafting, document revisions, or assistance with court submission beyond the agreed scope will be charged at the standard hourly rate.

Where substantial changes are required due to incomplete or inaccurate information initially provided by the client, or where the parties subsequently alter the agreed terms of settlement, additional time will be chargeable at the standard hourly rate.

Where the court requires amendments to the drafted Consent Order, such amendments will only be exempt from additional charges where the amendment arises directly from an error made by the McKenzie Friend.

 

3.4 Client Responsibility

The client confirms that:

• A full financial agreement has been reached prior to drafting

• Full and frank disclosure has been provided

• The figures submitted are accurate to the best of their knowledge

The client remains responsible for signing and filing the documents and paying the court fee.

Independent legal advice is recommended prior to signing and submitting the Consent Order.

 

4. COURT HEARING SUPPORT

 

4.1 Role of the McKenzie Friend

Court attendance is provided in accordance with Family Court guidance.

Permission for a McKenzie Friend to assist is always subject to the discretion of the presiding judge.

The McKenzie Friend does not:

• Address the court

• Conduct litigation

• Make decisions on behalf of the client

The client remains fully responsible for litigation and decisions.

The McKenzie Friend is not liable for any court decisions, settlement outcomes, or legal costs imposed by the court.

 

4.2 McKenzie Friend Permission Form

The client is responsible for completing, serving and filing the McKenzie Friend permission form.

If the court or opposing party does not consent to attendance, no refund will be due.

 

4.3 Booking, Deposits & Payment

A non-refundable deposit of 50% is required to secure court attendance.

The remaining balance must be paid at least 14 days before the hearing online or by bank transfer. 

Failure to pay the balance may result in cancellation without refund of the deposit.

 

4.4 Preparation Call

Court attendance includes one 45-minute preparation call.

This will be scheduled approximately two days prior to the hearing once the final bundle has been received.

Additional preparation time must be booked separately.

 

4.5 Court Attendance Time & Overtime

Part-day hearings include up to 4 hours from arrival at court.

The McKenzie Friend reserves the right to leave at the completion of booked time.

Additional time is charged at £95 per hour up to the equivalent full-day rate.

 

4.6 Adjournments & Advanced Costs

More than 14 days’ notice may allow rescheduling subject to deductions for advanced costs.

No refund or credit will be given where cancellation occurs within 14 days.

 

4.7 Travel & Accommodation

Travel is charged at £0.50 per mile from TW9 2PN.

Morning hearings beyond a 1.5-hour radius may require overnight accommodation, this should be confirmed via email prior to booking.

Travel and accommodation costs remain payable if incurred even when attendance is cancelled or rescheduled, and will be payable again for the new date.

 

5. REFERRAL PROGRAMME

 

Where a referred client books and pays for their first qualifying session:

• The referring client receives £50 credit

• The new client receives £50 off their first qualifying booking

Credits:

• Are non-transferable

• Cannot be exchanged for cash

• Must be used within 6 months

The McKenzie Friend reserves the right to amend or withdraw this programme at any time.

 

6. CONFLICT OF INTEREST

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Clients must provide the full legal name of the opposing party at the time of registration.

The McKenzie Friend will not accept instructions where a conflict of interest exists with a current or former paying client.

For the avoidance of doubt, a conflict of interest will not arise where an individual has only received:

• general guidance via social media

• brief informal communication

• a free introductory call

• publicly available information or content

Such interactions do not constitute a client relationship and do not prevent the McKenzie Friend from accepting instructions from another party.

 

7. SAFEGUARDING

 

The McKenzie Friend reserves the right to refuse or discontinue services where safeguarding concerns arise or conduct is inappropriate.

 

8. GDPR & DATA PROTECTION

 

The McKenzie Friend is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) under registration number ZB682478.

Client data is stored securely and used solely for service provision.

 

9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

 

The McKenzie Friend cannot guarantee outcomes.

The McKenzie Friend is not liable for:

• Court decisions

• Settlement outcomes

• Costs orders

• Loss of earnings

• Indirect or consequential losses

Professional indemnity insurance is held with Markel Direct.

 

10. CLIENT INFORMATION & ACCURACY

 

All services provided rely on information supplied by the client.

The client confirms that all information provided is accurate and complete to the best of their knowledge.

The McKenzie Friend accepts no liability for consequences arising from inaccurate, incomplete or misleading information supplied by the client.

 

11. RECORDING OF HEARINGS & USE OF COURT DOCUMENTS

 

Family Court proceedings are subject to strict confidentiality rules.

Recording court hearings without permission of the court is prohibited.

Court documents and evidence disclosed within proceedings must not be shared publicly or used for purposes unrelated to the case.

The McKenzie Friend does not assist with or condone unauthorised recording of court proceedings.

The client remains solely responsible for ensuring compliance with court rules.

 

12. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 

Any templates, guides, documents or written materials prepared by the McKenzie Friend remain the intellectual property of Nicola Al Nazli unless otherwise agreed.

These materials may not be reproduced or distributed without permission.

 

13. GENERAL

 

The McKenzie Friend reserves the right to decline or withdraw services where continuing assistance would be inappropriate, including where:

• information provided is misleading or incomplete

• litigation appears vexatious or abusive

• client conduct is unreasonable or threatening

These Terms & Conditions may be updated periodically.

The version in effect at the time of booking will apply.

By booking services, you confirm acceptance of these Terms.

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales, and any dispute shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.