18+
Legal sector experience
Over 18 years working within the legal profession, including family law and civil litigation.
Flexible fixed-fee legal support
Family Court Support & McKenzie Friend Services for Litigants in Person.
Your Private Paralegal provides practical, structured support for litigants in person, including document preparation, court forms, witness statements, evidence organisation, hearing preparation and McKenzie Friend support where appropriate.
Providing remote support to litigants in person across England and Wales.
18+ years legal sector experience Family law, civil litigation, conveyancing, wills and probate experience.
Principal Fellow of NALP Professional membership with the National Association of Licensed Paralegals.
DBS checked DBS certified and registered with the DBS Update Service.
Professional credibility
Experienced, accredited and professionally recognised support.
Your Private Paralegal is operated by a legally qualified professional with over 18 years of experience within the legal profession. The service combines practical legal-sector experience with clear, structured support for people navigating court proceedings and legal documents.
Family Law Accreditation
Law Society Family Law Accreditation at Distinction level.
CILEX Credential
Professional CILEX credential verification.
Find a McKenzie Friend
Verified profile on Find a McKenzie Friend.
PF
NALP Principal Fellow
Principal Fellow of the National Association of Licensed Paralegals.
DBS
DBS certified
DBS certified and registered with the DBS Update Service.
Professional status: Your Private Paralegal provides independent legal support services. The service does not act as solicitor on record and does not conduct reserved legal activities unless specifically permitted by law or by the court.
Only pay for the help you need
Flexible, unbundled legal support.
You may not need full legal representation for every stage of your case. Your Private Paralegal offers flexible fixed-fee support so you can choose help with specific tasks while remaining in control of your own matter.
This can be useful where you need help understanding procedure, preparing documents, organising evidence, reviewing papers or preparing for a hearing.
Before court
- Initial consultations and issue spotting.
- Court forms and application support.
- Witness statements and supporting documents.
- Evidence organisation and bundle preparation.
At and around hearings
- Position statements, chronologies and hearing notes.
- Court preparation sessions before hearings.
- McKenzie Friend support where appropriate.
- Post-hearing next steps discussion.
Services
Choose the support you need.
Services are offered on a fixed-fee basis where possible, or at an agreed hourly rate where the work cannot easily be priced in advance. Pricing and payment links are provided in the Client Engagement Pack or after suitability and scope have been confirmed.
01
Consultations
Discuss the background of your matter, identify key issues, review next steps and decide what support may be appropriate.
02
Document Review
Review of legal documents with written comments highlighting key issues, procedural points and practical considerations.
03
Court Forms
Assistance preparing procedural court forms, applications, claim forms, directions questionnaires and supporting information.
04
Statements & Evidence
Witness statements, fact-finding statements, Scott schedules, supporting statements, exhibits and evidence organisation.
05
Civil Litigation
Letter before claim, particulars of claim, defence drafting, legal research, case review and written guidance.
06
Court Preparation
Position statements, chronologies, statements of issues, skeleton arguments, hearing notes and court preparation sessions.
Transparent fees and secure payments: Fees are set out clearly before work begins. Secure Stripe payment links are used so clients can view the relevant pricing and make payment safely for the service they require. Further details are available in the Client Engagement Pack.
Know the role
What is a McKenzie Friend?
A McKenzie Friend assists a litigant in person during court proceedings by providing practical support, helping organise documents, taking notes and offering quiet assistance during the hearing where appropriate.
The litigant remains responsible for presenting their case, addressing the court and complying with any directions or orders made by the court.
Important: A McKenzie Friend does not normally have the right to address the court, examine witnesses or conduct the case on behalf of the litigant unless the court specifically grants permission.
What support may include
- Moral support before and during hearings.
- Help organising papers, evidence and bundles.
- Note-taking during hearings.
- Quiet assistance and procedural support.
- Hearing preparation and court confidence support.
What is not automatic
- Acting as your solicitor or legal representative on record.
- Conducting litigation.
- Signing court documents on your behalf.
- Addressing the court without permission.
- Examining witnesses without permission.
Resources & video guidance
Helpful information for litigants in person.
Use the resources below to learn more about court preparation, McKenzie Friend support and practical steps when representing yourself.
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YouTube guidance
Watch the latest Shorts, court support videos and plain-English legal guidance from Your Private Paralegal.
Watch Latest VideosPDF
Client Engagement Pack
Download the full Client Engagement Pack, including service information, terms, fees and payment guidance.
Download Pack✓
Court Hearing Preparation Checklist
Download our free Court Hearing Preparation Checklist to help you prepare for court, organise your documents, understand what to bring and avoid common mistakes made by litigants in person.
Download ChecklistBook online
Book a consultation.
Schedule a consultation to discuss your matter, identify the key issues and decide what support may be appropriate. If your matter is urgent, please include any upcoming hearing dates or court deadlines in your enquiry.
A short discovery call can be used to check suitability and direct you to the right service. Legal advice and detailed document review are provided through paid services only.
Questions
Frequently asked questions.
Are you my solicitor?
No. Your Private Paralegal provides independent legal support services and does not act as solicitor on record. You remain responsible for your case unless you separately instruct a regulated legal representative.
Can you speak for me in court?
Not automatically. A McKenzie Friend does not have an automatic right of audience. The court may grant permission in specific circumstances, but this must be considered case by case.
Can you help with urgent hearings?
Sometimes. Please include the hearing date, court, deadline and type of hearing in your enquiry so availability and suitability can be checked quickly.
Do you guarantee outcomes?
No. No responsible legal support service can guarantee the outcome of court proceedings. The focus is on preparation, organisation, clarity and practical support.
Stay connected
Follow Your Private Paralegal.
Follow the social pages for court preparation tips, family court guidance, McKenzie Friend information, litigant in person support, legal myth-busting and new resources.
Need help with court paperwork, evidence or an upcoming hearing?
Book a consultation or send an enquiry with your deadline, hearing date and the support you need.
Support available for family court and litigation matters:
Your Private Paralegal provides support for litigants in person across England and Wales, including McKenzie Friend support, family court support, NALP Principal Fellow paralegal support, help with C100 applications, C1A forms, C79 enforcement applications, C2 applications, child arrangements orders, specific issue orders, prohibited steps orders, witness statements, position statements, Scott Schedules, court bundles, chronologies, statements of issues, court hearing preparation, FHDRA preparation, fact finding hearings, final hearing preparation, civil litigation documents, legal research and court form assistance.