Help for litigants in person.

Support from the public gallery.

A McKenzie friend is someone who sits with you in court, takes notes, and offers quiet advice. They do not have the right to speak for you or conduct litigation, but they can be a real help if you are nervous or unfamiliar with court procedure. Some courts allow McKenzie friends to address the bench in exceptional circumstances, though this is at the judge's discretion and you should never assume it will be permitted.

Be careful when choosing a McKenzie friend. Some charge fees and a few have been banned from acting because they overstepped the line into unregulated legal services. The Law Society and the courts have issued guidance on what a McKenzie friend can and cannot do, and it is worth reading this before you invite someone to sit beside you.

Citizens Advice, advice bureaus and legal aid.

Citizens Advice remains one of the best starting points for a litigant in person. Their advisers can explain court procedure, help you fill in forms, and signpost you to specialist services. Local law centres and advice bureaus offer similar support, often with an emphasis on housing, debt, welfare, and family matters.

Legal aid is now tightly restricted. Most private family cases no longer qualify unless there is evidence of domestic abuse or child protection concerns. Civil legal aid is available for some housing, debt, and immigration matters, but the financial eligibility tests are strict. If you think you may qualify, you should check the gov.uk legal aid calculator or speak to a legal aid solicitor directly. The Law Society maintains a directory of solicitors who hold legal aid contracts.

Represent yourself in court.

Whether you are in the County Court, the High Court, or a tribunal, the same principle applies. You must comply with court orders, file documents on time, and prepare a witness statement that sets out your evidence in your own words. A witness statement should be dated, signed with a statement of truth, and follow the court's formatting rules. If you fail to file on time, the court may refuse to admit your evidence or even strike out your case.

Court orders are binding instructions issued by a judge. They can cover directions for the management of a case, interim injunctions, or final remedies. If you breach a court order, you can be held in contempt or face costs penalties. If the other side breaches an order, you can apply to enforce it. Enforcement is a technical area and many litigants in person find it useful to take advice from a direct access barrister at that stage.

Ending the dispute by agreement.

A consent order is a court order that both parties agree to put before a judge for approval. In family cases, consent orders are commonly used to record financial settlements on divorce or to formalise child arrangements. In civil litigation, a consent order can record a settlement and halt further proceedings. Drafting a consent order so that it is legally effective and covers all necessary relief requires care. A defective order may leave you without the protection you thought you had secured.

How a direct access barrister can help.

Family courts see more litigants in person than any other jurisdiction. If you are going through divorce, a financial remedy claim, or a child arrangements dispute, a direct access barrister can step in at any stage. They can review your draft witness statement, advise on the strength of your case before a first hearing, represent you at the FDR or final hearing, and draft the consent order that seals the settlement.

Because you instruct the barrister directly, you pay one fixed fee rather than funding a solicitor file alongside counsel. This makes specialist family law advice accessible to many people who would otherwise go into court entirely unrepresented. Every barrister we place is regulated by the Bar Standards Board and holds a current practising certificate.

Costs orders and specialist costs firms.

Litigants in person are entitled to recover costs when the court makes a costs order in their favour. The amount is usually calculated at a fixed hourly rate set by the court, subject to reasonableness. If you win your case or beat a Part 36 offer, you can ask the judge to order the other side to pay your costs.

Enforcing a costs order and preparing a bill of costs is technical work. Specialist costs firms such as ARC Costs and Greener Costs regularly help litigants in person prepare detailed bills, negotiate settlements, and enforce payment. If you have been awarded costs and the other side refuses to pay, these firms can advise on enforcement options including charging orders and third party debt orders.

If you are facing a costs application against you, or if you need help recovering costs you have been awarded, speak to a direct access barrister. A costs barrister can advise on the merits of the application, draft the points of dispute or reply, and represent you at a detailed assessment hearing.