Steven Wade is a family law advisor (McKenzie Friend) with nearly 20 years of experience helping people represent themselves in court. Having been through the system personally and supported thousands of others since, he knows what it’s like to face the stress, confusion, and pressure of doing it alone. This blog shares practical insights that empower you to take control of your case — without the legal jargon or the hefty solicitor’s bill.
Can I represent myself in court?
Family Law Assistance
The only alternative to a solicitor.
Yes
`Can I represent myself in court’. It’s a very common question for people to ask and besides if you speak to any solicitor or barrister they’ll say you really need to get legal representation. So much so that when your ex’s legal representative sends you a letter or email they’ll say you need to do just that. (Although to be fair that’s because they’re following the recommendations of the SRA – the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority – in how to deal with litigants in person like you).
Anyway.
As I say – the answer to `Can I represent myself in court’ is `yes’.
`Can I represent myself in court?’ or `Should I represent myself in court’?
That’s a better question. Like I say – solicitors will say you should use a solicitor but of course they would.
Truth is…we’ve seen thousands of people do represent themselves amazingly over the years, getting a fair better result than they could have reasonably expected with the advice of a legal professional.
With our help we’ve seen it happen thousands of times over the last 16 years. Our clients often tell us they felt they were in the driving seat of their case, they felt heard, achieved a result they were happy with and of course…saved a shedload of cash.
90% of the people who contact us can do an amazing job at running their own case. Even if the case is `complicated’; we’ve helped an increasing number of clients in the Royal Courts of Justice, with men and women making their case to High Court Judges.
Your inside-out knowledge of your case, our knowledge and experience, our shared passion for doing the best for your children or ensuring you have the best possible start to the next stage of your life. It’s a winning combination.
`I’m going to get a solicitor and do it properly’ – the retort to `Can I represent myself in court’
No worries. There are 10% of people who will need to use a solicitor and we’ll happily recommend some amazing ones we’d happily use ourselves (if we weren’t so passionable about representing ourselves of course!) Some people just don’t feel able to speak on their own behalf, preferring someone to represent them when speaking to their ex (or their solicitor/barrister) and when it comes to the court ourselves.
It can be easy for us to forget how daunting it can be – seeing as a day in court is business as usual for us (and it’s your life being discussed here, not ours) – so we get it.
But doing it for the sole purpose of `doing it properly’ probably isn’t the best of reasons.
Go it alone or with someone like us?
You’re free to go alone. Or with some else (although your friends and relatives have an `interest’ in the case meaning they may find themselves excluded from a hearing if the court or your ex objects – check the rules on this here). You could also use someone who volunteers to assist…or someone like us.
If you’re going alone consider if you are really able to listen, speak, think, understand what is going on and take notes during a hearing…
But back to the original question `Can I represent myself in court’. Absolutely!
But the most important thing? You need to be comfortable with whoever is by your side because it can be a challenge – especially while you’re going to feel emotional about your children, your relationship, your finances.
This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
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About the author…
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