Your Guide Through the Family & Civil Court System
Navigating family court can be one of the most challenging experiences of your life. Whether you're dealing with a complex issue or an urgent situation, the process can feel overwhelming and isolating. At Litigant In Person Support, my mission is to provide you with the essential support, information, and guidance you need to feel confident and in control.
I am a McKenzie Friend and a committed partner who will stand by your side. I cannot give legal advice or speak for you, but I will empower you by helping you understand the legal process and preparing you to represent yourself effectively. My support is built on a foundation of professional experience, academic knowledge, and a deeply personal understanding of the family justice system.
You deserve to be heard. Let's navigate this together.
Our Current Service Levels
We are currently accepting enquiries for:
Family Court Matters: Child Arrangements - all
Non-molestation orders - Urgent service available
Free Email Support Service: Please allow one week for reply
OUR CURRENT FACE TO FACE SUPPORT AREAS:
Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, North East, North West
If you are out of area and have an urgent situation, please call us for assistance.
About Me: Why I Do What I Do
Jonathan Cotterill-Bolsover
Founder and Layperson
Currently studying the CILEX CPD Qualification.
Student member of CILEX.
HE Qualification in Psychology.
HE Cert in Social Science.
Level 3 Award in Education and Training.
Student Member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX).
Hello, I'm Jonathan Cotterill-Bolsover, the founder of Litigant In Person Support. I have a passion for assisting and empowering people and have turned that passion towards law support. I am currently a legal student whilst also working for a leading national organisation offering support to litigants in person. My experiences run far and wide in the legal arena. My work is further strengthened by my qualifications in Psychology and Social Science, which provide a robust academic grounding for my approach. I'm currently a law student and became a lead volunteer with a leading national charity where I dedicated my time to providing frontline support to individuals like you. This hands-on experience has given me a deep, practical understanding of a wide range of family and civil law situations. I worked with and alongside hundreds of clients over the phone, face to face and in court.
Our services
Our Services
My support is structured to provide you with the right level of assistance for your needs:
Foundation: Always Free
This tier provides general legal information and resources to help you understand your situation.
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Email Support: Get answers to general legal questions and receive signposting to other relevant organisations, such as legal aid providers and pro bono charities.
Compass: Guided Support
This tier offers more personalised, online support to help you with the practical aspects of your case. Examples include:
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Document Drafting: I will assist you in drafting a clear and factual witness statement, helping you structure your thoughts and incidents chronologically. This ensures the information is presented in a clear and organised manner to the court.
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Court Forms: I will help you fill out forms like the C100, C79, or FL401 accurately, ensuring your application is not delayed or rejected due to administrative errors.
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Case Discussions: We can have in-depth online discussions to help you understand your case and prepare for your next steps.
Access: Direct In-Person Support
This tier provides direct, in-depth support for those who require it, including attendance at hearings.
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In-Court Support: I can sit with you during court hearings to provide moral and emotional support. I will take detailed notes of the judge's comments and the other party's arguments, and I can quietly offer advice on points of procedure or issues you may wish to raise.
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Meeting Attendance: I can attend local appointments and meetings with you to provide a supportive presence.
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Hearing Preparation: We will prepare for hearings and meetings by discussing what you intend to say and ensuring you feel as confident as possible.
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Pay on account option for immediate support by phone.
How I Can Help
As a McKenzie Friend, it is essential to understand the limits of my role. I am not a qualified solicitor or barrister and cannot provide legal advice, tell you what to do, or advise you on the merits of your case. All legal decisions and responsibility remain with you.
I can assist you with the practical aspects of a variety of law matters, below are a few examples:
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Non-Molestation and Occupation Orders: These are urgent legal processes to protect you or your children from abuse or to regulate who can live in a family home. I can help you draft your application and witness statement and provide crucial support during the stressful without-notice hearing.
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Child Arrangements Orders: If you are seeking to resolve a specific dispute concerning a child, I can help you with the C100 form and prepare for your CAFCASS interview and subsequent hearings. I can also assist with preparing witness statements and organising your court bundle.
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C79 Enforcement: If an existing Child Arrangements Order is not being followed, I can help you with the C79 form and assist you in documenting breaches of the order into a clear and factual chronological log.
- Understanding the Process: When in a family or civil court situation, I can help you understand and navigate the process by offering practical information, support and guidance.
Pricing
We offer a range of specialised services tailored to meet your individual needs.
Foundation
Support by email
Always free
Free email support to answer general points of law non-specific to your case.
Compass
Support online via video call
£50.00 per hour
Online video and phone call support for case discussions, form completion and emotional support.
Access
Support Face to Face
and on demand
£50.00 per hour
plus reasonable expenses
Face to face and support during hearings to take notes, offer emotional support and give quiet information and guidance.
Pay on account option for immediate support by phone.
Considering Your Options for Legal Support
Your Path to Empowerment and Confidence
I understand that facing the family court can be a frightening experience. But I want you to know that you don't have to walk this path alone. You have options, and with the right support, you can transform anxiety into empowerment.
While you could choose to use a solicitor for full representation or navigate the system on your own, I believe a third path should be available to everybody—one that puts you in the driver's seat while providing you with a skilled and dedicated co-pilot. That's the power of a McKenzie Friend. It's a way to get the help you need without the high costs and without giving up control of your case.
The truth is, not all support is created equal. The world of McKenzie Friends can be a bit of a lottery, with varying levels of expertise and no formal regulation. But I've built my service to defy that stereotype and to give you a foundation of trust, expertise, and accountability.
My Commitment to You
My goal is to give you the confidence to navigate the legal system with a skilled and dedicated partner by your side. I've taken specific steps to address the common concerns you might have about using a McKenzie Friend, so you can feel secure and supported every step of the way.
Professionalism You Can Rely On
I'm not just a layperson offering legal support. As a law student and member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX), I'm committed to a high standard of professional and ethical conduct. This provides you with a formal framework for accountability, giving you peace of mind that you're receiving a principled service.
Experience That Makes a Difference
My expertise is not just theoretical—it is grounded in my work as a lead volunteer with a national charity offering legal information, support and guidance to litigants-in-person. This practical, frontline experience has given me a deep understanding of a wide range of situations in both family and civil law. I am not just a student of the law; I am a practitioner of practical legal support.
Empowerment Through Education
My role is to empower you, not to speak for you. We will work together so you can confidently present your case. I'll provide you with clear, easy-to-understand fact sheets about court procedures and legal concepts. I'll help you organise and prepare all your documents, from case bundles to evidence, to ensure you are ready for any court hearing.You have the strength to do this, and I am here to ensure you have the tools and support you need to succeed. Let's work together to make sure your voice is heard.
Considering all of your options
Navigating the legal system is a personal journey, and choosing the right level of support is crucial. To make an informed decision, it's helpful to understand the pros and cons of each of the three main options available to you.
Option 1: Using a Solicitor
A solicitor is a qualified and regulated legal professional who can provide comprehensive legal advice and full representation. They have the authority to speak on your behalf in court and manage your case from start to finish, which takes the burden of the process off your shoulders. Solicitors are regulated by a professional body, and their firms are required to have professional indemnity insurance, offering a high level of accountability and protection if you receive negligent advice. However, this is typically the most expensive option, with costs that can quickly accumulate, sometimes into the ten of thousands of pounds. While you are the ultimate decision-maker, you may have less direct control over the day-to-day strategy.
Option 2: Using a McKenzie Friend
A McKenzie Friend provides support and assistance to someone who is representing themselves in court. It is a more cost-effective alternative to a solicitor. A McKenzie Friend can provide moral support, take notes, help with case papers, and offer quiet advice on court procedures. You remain in control of your case and are responsible for all decisions, and the service can often be more personal and flexible. The key limitations are that a McKenzie Friend has no right to address the court on your behalf and is not required to be regulated by a professional body, which means there can be no formal complaints procedure or professional indemnity insurance. The quality of service can also vary widely, as there are no formal standards they must adhere to.
Option 3: Self-Representing (Litigant in Person)
Self-representing means you manage and present your own case without any professional legal representation. This is the most affordable option, as you only have to pay court fees. You have complete control over every aspect of your case, which can be an empowering experience. The primary challenge is the high time and emotional burden involved, as you must navigate complex legal rules and procedures on your own. You may be at a significant disadvantage when facing a qualified solicitor or barrister, and you risk a substantial cost order if you lose your case.
Contact us
Location
22 The Avenue,
Barnsley, S75 3AQ.
Address
22 The Avenue
Tankersley
Barnsley
S75 3AQ
Contact
07901 745275
info@litigantinpersonsupport.co.uk
Opening Hours
Mon - Fri: 9am - 9pm (evening appts available by request)
Saturday: For urgent enquires
Sunday: Closed