Terms of service
1. Role of Howell Family Court Support
Howell Family Court Support provides practical assistance and support as a McKenzie Friend. A McKenzie Friend is a layperson who may assist a person involved in court proceedings.
Howell Family Court Support is not a solicitor, barrister or regulated legal professional and does not provide legal advice, legal representation or financial advice.
The support provided is intended to assist you in understanding and managing your own case. You remain responsible for all decisions made in relation to your case, including any applications, statements, offers, negotiations and decisions regarding court proceedings.
Where appropriate, you are encouraged to seek independent legal advice from a qualified legal professional.
2. Services Provided
Subject to agreement between Howell Family Court Support and the client, support may include:
• Providing practical and emotional support throughout family court proceedings.
• Assisting with understanding court processes and procedures.
• Helping organise case papers, documents and correspondence.
• Assisting with preparation of forms and administrative documents.
• Helping prepare chronologies, schedules, statements and position documents.
• Assisting with preparation for hearings, including organising questions and points to raise.
• Reviewing documents and helping identify issues for discussion.
• Assisting with case organisation and preparation for court directions.
• Attending court hearings where permission is granted by the court.
• Providing support with communication and preparation before and after hearings.
All documents prepared or assisted with by Howell Family Court Support remain the responsibility of the client. The client must check all information carefully and approve documents before they are submitted to the court or any other party.
3. Client Responsibilities
You agree to:
• Provide accurate and complete information relevant to your case.
• Provide documents and information within agreed timescales.
• Inform Howell Family Court Support of any changes to your circumstances or court directions.
• Check and approve all documents before submission.
• Make your own decisions regarding your case and any legal strategy.
4. Confidentiality
All personal information, documents and discussions will be treated as confidential.
Information will only be shared with your permission, unless there is a legal obligation to disclose information, including where there are concerns relating to safeguarding, risk of harm, or suspected criminal activity.
Client information will be stored and processed in accordance with applicable data protection legislation and Howell Family Court Support's Privacy Notice.
5. Court Attendance
Court attendance is subject to availability and, where required, the permission of the court.
A booking deposit may be required to secure attendance at a hearing. Details of fees, deposits and payment arrangements are set out in the Howell Family Court Support Fee Schedule.
If a hearing is cancelled or adjourned, fees already incurred for preparation work remain payable. Any arrangements for transferring or refunding court attendance fees will be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
6. Fees and Payment
Fees for services provided by Howell Family Court Support are set out in the separate Fee Schedule.
Before work begins, you will be informed of the expected costs and services to be provided.
Invoices must be paid within the timescale stated on the invoice.
Additional work requested outside the original agreement may incur further charges. You will be notified before any additional chargeable work is undertaken.
Travel costs, mileage, parking and other reasonable expenses may be charged where applicable and will be discussed in advance.
7. Cancellation Policy
If you need to cancel an appointment, please provide as much notice as possible.
Where significant preparation work has already been completed, fees may still be payable for work undertaken.
Court attendance bookings may be subject to a non-refundable deposit due to preparation time and diary commitments.
8. Limitation of Responsibility
Howell Family Court Support will provide support with care, professionalism and to the best of its ability.
However, Howell Family Court Support cannot be responsible for:
• Decisions made by the client.
• Decisions made by the court or other parties.
• The outcome of court proceedings.
• The interpretation of legal information relied upon by the client.
• Delays caused by the court, other parties or external circumstances.
The client remains responsible for their own case, decisions and actions.
9. Complaints
If you are unhappy with any aspect of the service provided, please raise your concerns directly with Howell Family Court Support so that the matter can be reviewed and addressed.