Begum, Farhana (2018) McKenzie Students - An oxymoron? Family Law, 48 (1). pp. 77-81. ISSN 0014-7281

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Abstract

Following the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, there has been a steady rise of available reasonable assistance to a Litigant in Person (LiPs) in the civil court system, particularly in the family court. With two independent student support desks successfully in operation , and a second pilot in tow for a further university, it seems a student supporter will inevitably become an established norm in the family court process. However, the nascent student support help desk and the parallel presence of McKenzie friends (MFs) create an unremitting and disconcerting court setting by being regarded or recorded as one. The distinction is essential for LiPs in the administration of justice because LiPs have the right to be clearly aware of the roles involved in the court system, and the court is obliged to consider all the circumstances of the case, including the interests of justice and fairness. Other organisations, such as the Personal Support Unit, could self-title themselves as McKenzie volunteers, but wisely elect not to do so, instead opting for a volunteer badge. And so, the differences between a student supporter and that of MFs beg the difficult recognition of the term ‘McKenzie student’ as inappropriate.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	As instructed
Subjects:	K Law > KD England and Wales
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences > School of Law & Criminology (LAC)
Last Modified:	04 Feb 2020 13:57
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/23798

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