McKenzie Friend
Support
Professional support for individuals representing themselves in Employment Tribunals and County Court proceedings. If you are facing court or tribunal without legal representation, you do not have to navigate it alone. Konve People provides structured assistance at each stage of the process — from case preparation through to the hearing itself.
McKenzie Friend Support
Fixed-fee packages for Employment Tribunal and County Court proceedings, with custom scoping available for complex matters. Every engagement is agreed in writing before any work begins.
Someone who sits with you in court and helps you through it.
A McKenzie Friend is a person who assists an individual representing themselves in court or tribunal proceedings. The role is recognised in English law and allows a litigant in person to have a companion who can take notes, help with documents, quietly offer advice during proceedings, and provide moral support throughout the hearing.
A McKenzie Friend is not a legal representative. They cannot speak on your behalf unless the court or tribunal specifically grants them right of audience, which is at the court's discretion. What they can do is make the experience significantly less overwhelming — and help you present your case more clearly and confidently.
Konve People's McKenzie Friend support is delivered by a legally trained practitioner holding an LLB and progressing through the SQE. We are clear about where the line is, and we do not cross it.
Can do — in court or tribunal
Sit beside you during the hearing. Take notes. Help you find documents. Quietly advise you on questions to ask or points to raise. Provide moral support and calm guidance throughout.
Can do — before the hearing
Help you understand the process and what to expect. Assist with organising your documents and evidence. Help you draft your witness statement and prepare your position. Review correspondence from the other side.
Cannot do
Speak on your behalf without the court's specific permission. Conduct litigation or act as your legal representative. Provide a formal legal opinion or advise on the merits of your claim.
Subject to court discretion
The court or tribunal has the right to refuse or limit McKenzie Friend assistance. This is rare in practice, but you should be aware that our attendance at a hearing is at the court's discretion and not guaranteed.
Structured support at every stage of your case.
The support we provide is scoped to your case and the stage you are at. Not every engagement covers every element below — we agree what is needed and what is appropriate before any work begins.
Case preparation support
Helping you understand the procedural rules and what to expect at each stage. Assisting with the organisation of your documents, evidence bundle, and correspondence. Reviewing the respondent's or defendant's documents. Helping you understand what the key issues are likely to be and how to address them.
Witness statement assistance
Helping you draft a clear, well-organised witness statement that covers the key facts of your case in a format the court expects. This is administrative and drafting assistance — we help you articulate your own account clearly, not provide a legal opinion on what to include or exclude.
Hearing attendance
Attending the hearing with you — in person or remotely depending on how it is listed. Sitting beside you, taking notes, helping you find documents, and providing quiet guidance throughout. Subject to the court's or tribunal's permission and discretion.
Correspondence and process support
Helping you understand and respond to correspondence from the court or tribunal and the other side. Explaining procedural steps, directions, and orders. Assisting with applications where appropriate. Providing a consistent point of contact throughout the process.
Fixed fees. Defined scope. No surprises.
Every package is a fixed fee for a defined scope of work, agreed in writing before any work begins. Custom scoping is available for complex matters that do not fit a standard package.
- Pre-hearing briefing session (up to 90 minutes)
- Review of your case documents before the session
- Full hearing day attendance
- Post-hearing notes and debrief
- ET3 response review and analysis
- Evidence bundle organisation
- Witness statement drafting assistance
- Pre-hearing preparation session
- Full hearing day attendance
- Post-hearing notes and debrief
- From ET1 or early case management stage
- Directions and correspondence support throughout
- Preliminary hearing attendance if required
- Complete evidence preparation
- Witness statement drafting assistance
- Final hearing attendance
- Post-hearing notes and debrief
Custom Engagement
For complex matters: multiple respondents, discrimination claims with significant financial exposure, cases with preliminary issues, or anything that does not fit cleanly into a standard package. Scoped and quoted individually following an initial conversation.
- Pre-hearing briefing session (up to 90 minutes)
- Review of your case documents before the session
- Small claims or fast track hearing attendance
- Post-hearing notes and debrief
- Directions compliance review
- Trial bundle assistance
- Position preparation
- Pre-trial briefing session
- Hearing attendance
- Post-hearing notes and debrief
- From pre-action or early proceedings stage
- Pre-action correspondence review
- Particulars of claim or defence assistance
- Directions questionnaire support
- Case management compliance
- Evidence preparation
- Trial attendance
Custom Engagement
For fast track or multi-track matters with significant complexity, multiple parties, cases involving expert evidence, or substantial disclosure requirements. Scoped and quoted individually following an initial conversation.
For individuals facing court or tribunal without legal representation.
Civil proceedings are complex and the process is often unfamiliar to people who have never been involved in legal proceedings. McKenzie Friend support does not replace a solicitor — but for many people, it makes the difference between navigating the process with confidence and being overwhelmed by it.
You have submitted or are preparing to submit a claim and are representing yourself without a solicitor.
You have a hearing listed and want someone experienced to sit with you and help you through it.
You are struggling to organise your documents, understand procedural directions, or draft your witness statement.
You cannot afford legal representation but want more support than going through the process entirely alone.
You have used EquHire to challenge a recruitment decision and the matter has progressed to tribunal proceedings.
You want a legally trained person alongside you who understands the process and can help you present your case clearly.
McKenzie Friend support is not a substitute for legal advice or legal representation. If your case is complex, involves significant financial exposure, or requires a legal opinion on its merits, you should seek representation from a qualified solicitor or barrister. Konve People will tell you honestly if your situation requires more than we can provide.
From enquiry to hearing support.
Every engagement begins with a no-obligation conversation. We assess your situation, confirm what support is appropriate, and agree the scope and cost before any work begins.
Submit your enquiry
Use the form below to tell us about your situation — the nature of your claim, where you are in the process, and what support you are looking for. No commitment required.
Initial conversation
We will respond within one working day and arrange a short call to understand your case properly. We will confirm whether and how Konve People can help, and what the engagement would involve.
Scope and agree
We agree the scope of support, the fee, and the terms of the engagement in writing before any work begins. No surprises and no commitments until you are ready to proceed.
Support begins
We work with you through the agreed scope — case preparation, witness statement assistance, correspondence support, and hearing attendance where applicable.
Common questions
Answers to the questions most people have before enquiring about McKenzie Friend support.
Konve People operates within clear professional limits on every engagement.
- Does not provide legal advice or a legal opinion on claim merits
- Does not conduct litigation or act as legal representative
- Does not undertake reserved legal activities under the Legal Services Act 2007
- Hearing attendance is subject to court or tribunal discretion
- Not regulated by the SRA or FCA
- Operated by Konve People, part of Konve Ltd, registered in England and Wales
Tell us about your situation.
No commitment required. We will review your enquiry and respond within one working day — and we will be straight with you about whether and how we can help.
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