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FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
General & Regulatory SupportService & Practice AreasFees Bundles & Working TermsTerms & Data Protection & PrivacyLegal Advice or Representation
1. What is a Lay Consultant / McKenzie Friend?
A McKenzie Friend or lay consultant is a non-lawyer who provides practical, procedural, and administrative support to a Litigant in Person (a self-represented party navigating court proceedings). Pursuant to the Practice Guidance: McKenzie Friends (Civil and Family Courts) 2010, we assist by taking detailed notes, organising evidence, helping with court forms, managing court papers, structuring position statements, and providing quiet procedural assistance during court hearings.
2. Are you a law firm or solicitors' practice?
No. Thornley Maison is an independent lay court support and consultancy practice. We are not a law firm, solicitors' practice, or barristers' chambers, and we are not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or the Bar Standards Board (BSB). We do not provide formal legal advice, exercise rights of audience, or conduct litigation on your behalf.
3. Can you submit court forms or communicate with the court on my behalf?
No. Because Thornley Maison are an independent lay support consultancy and do not conduct litigation, all court applications, e-bundles, position statements, and witness statements must be submitted directly by you as the Litigant in Person.
4. Can you speak in court on my behalf?
Under standard court rules, a McKenzie Friend provides quiet, in-court support and does not address the judge or examine witnesses. However, the court retains inherent discretion under the 2010 Practice Guidance to grant a lay supporter temporary "Rights of Audience" in exceptional circumstances if formally requested by you at the start of a hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
General & Regulatory SupportService & Practice AreasFees Bundles & Working TermsTerms & Data Protection & PrivacyLegal Advice or Representation
1. What is a Lay Consultant / McKenzie Friend?
A McKenzie Friend or lay consultant is a non-lawyer who provides practical, procedural, and administrative support to a Litigant in Person (a self-represented party navigating court proceedings). Pursuant to the Practice Guidance: McKenzie Friends (Civil and Family Courts) 2010, we assist by taking detailed notes, organising evidence, helping with court forms, managing court papers, structuring position statements, and providing quiet procedural assistance during court hearings.
2. Are you a law firm or solicitors' practice?
No. Thornley Maison is an independent lay court support and consultancy practice. We are not a law firm, solicitors' practice, or barristers' chambers, and we are not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or the Bar Standards Board (BSB). We do not provide formal legal advice, exercise rights of audience, or conduct litigation on your behalf.
3. Can you submit court forms or communicate with the court on my behalf?
No. Because Thornley Maison are an independent lay support consultancy and do not conduct litigation, all court applications, e-bundles, position statements, and witness statements must be submitted directly by you as the Litigant in Person.
4. Can you speak in court on my behalf?
Under standard court rules, a McKenzie Friend provides quiet, in-court support and does not address the judge or examine witnesses. However, the court retains inherent discretion under the 2010 Practice Guidance to grant a lay supporter temporary "Rights of Audience" in exceptional circumstances if formally requested by you at the start of a hearing.
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