About Me
- I am a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Legal Executives (Non-practising)
- I have extensive experience working in divorce and family law matters at a senior level over many years in the East of England.
- I am an accredited member of the Society of Professional McKenzie Friends. This means that I have been approved and accepted to be a member of the SPMF by having produced evidence of my past career experience as a competent practitioner in this field.
- I am covered by Public Liability Insurance.
- My approach is focused on understanding your needs and providing practical solutions from personalised consultations to hands-on assistance
What Can a McKenzie Friend Do
Anyone who is mentally competent is entitled to represent themselves in court (they do not need to employ a solicitor or barrister) and if they choose to do this they are termed a Litigant in Person (LIP).
More and more people are conducting their own cases in court, without a solicitor or barrister, often because they cannot afford lawyers’ fees, and Legal Aid to pay these fees is becoming harder to obtain.
Representing yourself in court is not as daunting as it may sound, especially if you have the help of a McKenzie Friend to assist in preparing the case beforehand and to sit along-side you in court.
I can offer support as follows:
- Assistance with preparation of court documents
- Guidance on legal procedure
- Supporting in court hearings with moral support, helping with proper preparation of court papers, quietly giving advice on points of law or procedure and guiding with how to manage the hearing itself
What a McKenzie Friend Cannot Do
A McKenzie Friend has no right to act on behalf of a LIP. He may not act as the LIP’s agent in relation to the proceedings nor manage the case outside court, for example, by signing court documents.
A McKenzie Friend is not entitled to address the court, nor examine any witnesses. However, in exceptional circumstances, a judge may grant a McKenzie Friend what is termed “right of audience” in a particular case. The McKenzie Friend would then be allowed to address the court and conduct the litigant’s case (as a solicitor or barrister would normally do). There are some exceptions to this rule: a Judge may consider allowing a McKenzie Friend to be given special permissions, based on a request being asked in advance of a court hearing, and, on production of evidence that the McKenzie Friend has proof of competency, that permission may be granted.
Services
Taking Care of the Detail
Guidance and support for self-represented clients, ensuring clarity and confidence in court. I aim to listen to you carefully, establish your wants and needs and guide you towards the outcome you seek. I cannot advise you, but I can enable you to understand what your options are and how you might achieve them.
Court Accompaniment
Comprehensive support and guidance in court, ensuring you face proceedings with confidence.
In certain circumstances, a Judge may allow a McKenzie Friend to address a court on your behalf. This permission is only granted in certain circumstances and decided by the Judge at that time. I can provide emotional and logistical support, helping you navigate courtroom procedures with confidence
Legal Document Preparation
The method of bringing a case to court is usually by form filling: I can support you with completing forms accurately and effectively so you have the best chance of avoiding mistakes in practice and procedure.
- Divorce and other family court proceedings (children, finance)
- Lasting Power of Attorney (Health and Finance)
- Money Claim Online - claims for payment of money due for unpaid invoices or claims for your money back on purchases or professional services.
Money Claim Online
For Claimants:
Most claims for money are made to the court online. The content of your claim needs to be prepared with great care: errors made in the claim form can make or break the likely success of your claim.
A claimant must ensure the case is managed properly, with evidence produced to support the claim. The form and the necessary witness statement needs careful attention to necessary detail.
I can guide you on how the forms should be completed to give your case the best chance of success.
For Defendants:
If served with a claim made against you, I can guide you on the procedure to effectively defend a case. This largely comes down to your response to the claim (the 'Defence') and must include relevant responses with supporting evidence.
Again, I can guide you on how to complete the forms to give your case the best chance of success.
Lasting Power of Attorney
A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you (the ‘donor’) appoint one or more people (known as ‘attorneys’) to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf.
This gives you more control over what happens to you if you have an accident or an illness and cannot make your own decisions (you ‘lack mental capacity’).
There are 2 types of LPA:
- health and welfare
- property and financial affairs
You can choose to make one type or both.
Generally speaking, you do not need to hire a Solicitor to help you fill in the forms. With my guidance and support, you can effectively complete forms with confidence and register the LPA with the appropriate government sites.
For further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Contact
Get in touch for expert McKenzie Friend assistance and legal document support.
Contact
C Clarke Legal
Stamford, United Kingdom
Please provide your full name, address and telephone number with a brief outline of your enquiry.
I am happy to have a preliminary chat with you on the phone to establish whether my services would be of use to you.This call, lasting no longer than 30 minutes, will be free of charge.
If you decide to engage my services, my fees are £75 per hour, payable in advance. There may be other costs involved (eg travel) which we will discuss as we go along.
C Clarke
Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Legal Executives (FCILEX) (NP)
Accredited Member of the Society of Professional McKenzie Friends
I am an accredited member of the Society of Professional McKenzie Friends with full PLI providing expert support for individuals who are self-representing in legal matters. Based in Stamford, UK, I specialise in offering personalised assistance for those navigating the complex legal landscape. My services are designed to empower clients with the necessary tools and knowledge to manage their legal challenges effectively. I pride myself on my professionalism, empathy, and dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes for my clients.
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