Another McKenzie Friend jailed ....

[palanca]

www.lawgazette.co.uk/law/mckenzie-friend-jailed-for-deceit-in-family-court/5058352.article

This is what a total lack of regulation allows to happen so freely

[IamSwitzerland]

Those two don't really sound like the sharpest tools in the box do they?

[LadyConstanceDeCoverlet]

Interesting that he had a barrister to represent him, not another McKenzie friend!

[Groovee]

She was all over the news last week.

[Fourormore]

Am I reading right that he hasn't been banned from acting as a McKenzie Friend in future?

[MrsBertBibby]

Apparently, it would be sad to deprive him of an income, and stop him helping all those people he helps. FFS.

[Fourormore]

Seems like a very odd decision in light of the recent calls for all paid McKenzies to be banned!

[mrsdarcey78]

they should be regulated. they can charge what they like and they don't seem to be qualified. not saying all of them are bad of course. I had to pay recently £4k for a barrister and solicitor after ex took me to court, on final court date he had this very hostile MKF in with him, who was pushing for fact finding, the court said no way, no need for it, he was talking to ex through out the hearing even though he was told he was to only act as a silent support i.e a friend. Ex did not get anything he asked for in the end. I looked up his website when I got home, and he charges £450 a hour and petrol and costs. also my barrister had to provide the court bundle and speak in the court and explain it all even though supposed to be petitioner. anyhow, I hope or guess most of the MKF are good kind people, the one I saw was not. He did not have the kids interests at heart at all. x

[Fourormore]

£450 an hour?! That's more than a barrister by a long way.

[mrsdarcey78]

Plus his petrol and expenses etc. he was clearly talking through the hearing, the judge said to him before it started he was there only as a "friend" and could not speak or gesture, or comment at all. it was a total farce. at least the court listened to the children, this MKF was clearly hostile. my barrister was £850 for the court appearance. she also did the court bundle, and the speaking in court although it should of been the ex doing all of that.lack of transparency has a lot to answer for in the family court x

[InTheseFlipFlops]

Shitttt I think i might have a change of career at £450 an hour, not like i need any training or anything.

Bonkers, i find it sad that MKF's are needed at all that people can't access proper legal help. But if you can't they should at least have some sort of licence & basic training (i appreciate law is far from basic!) to advise.

[LadyConstanceDeCoverlet]

Your ex is a total mug if he agreed to pay £450 an hour.

[Fourormore]

I think that must be a typo. £45 would be about right, or £250-300 set fee.

If you were the only one represented then it's right that your representation prepares the bundle.

Was the McKenzie Friend interrupting proceedings? My understand was that they can quietly advise their clients but cant (automatically) address the court. Presumably if he was acting inappropriately the judge would have called him out on it?