header-logo header-logo

Keeping it in the family

11 December 2008 / Ann Northover , Nicola Fisher
Issue: 7349 / Categories: Features , Family
printer mail-detail

Will the credit crunch tempt more litigants to adopt a McKenzie friend? ask Ann Northover & Nicola Fisher

 

As the global financial crisis continues, there has already been some speculation in the press as to how it will impact upon family law work. An increase in family disputes may follow as fi nancial hard times put an inevitable strain on the domestic arena.

Litigants anxious to do all they can to reduce their legal fees may fi nd the less costly “have-a-go” approach appealing. Like Heather Mills McCartney, litigants attempting a “do-it-yourself” approach may find the assistance of a “McKenzie friend” useful. In a surprising turn of events, particularly where marital assets were so plentiful, she parted company from her solicitors in her divorce proceedings earlier this year, and represented herself with the assistance of McKenzie friends. In doing so, she undoubtedly raised the profi le of what was to many lay persons a hitherto unknown option.

A McKenzie friend
The phrase McKenzie friend comes from the 1970 Court of Appeal

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Writing in NLJ this week, Thomas Rothwell and Kavish Shah of Falcon Chambers unpack the surprise inclusion of a ban on upwards-only rent reviews in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
back-to-top-scroll