High-Conflict Delicate Family Cases That Require Expert Experience and Knowledge. 

McKenzie Friend Legal Consultant- Low-Cost Family Court Support 

With over 30 years of experience in family court matters,

 Free initial advice on how I can help you✅                           

📞 Contact Christopher on 07878 89 6044 ✅   

Affordable & Effective Low-Cost Approach. 

I am widely recognised as one of the most knowledgeable and experienced McKenzie Friends in the UK, with a remarkable Supreme Court achievement in 2012 known as the voice of the Child and used as a landmark case in Child Custody disputes.

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 "Judicial supreme court comments," as someone with significant life experience and an expert in his own right, noting that his ability to present legal arguments is both thorough and persuasive and equal to any professional, his knowledge is remarkable.

I provide practical and affordable family court support for child custody and all areas of family law — including complex cases progressing to the Supreme Court and High Court level in international Child abduction cases.

Why Choose This Service?

✅ Highly experienced in children's cases involving complex matters that include expert evidence.
✅  Financial and Divorce preparation. 
✅ Can help you challenge professionals' opinions.
✅  And a straightforward no-nonsense approach. 

I can make a difference to your outcome 

With dedicated legal experience and involvement in more than 5,000 child custody cases.

Proceedings under the Children Act 1989 are rarely straightforward. They involve not only legal argument, but the coordinated influence of multiple professionals whose assessments and recommendations can determine the outcome of your case.

When your children are involved, there is no room for assumption or reactive decision-making. Success depends on understanding how the entire system operates — judicially, procedurally, and professionally.

I provide elite-level strategic case consultancy for parents navigating private and public law children proceedings. My work reflects the analytical depth, procedural precision, and evidential discipline expected at the senior solicitor level — delivered in a cost-conscious and accessible format.

High-conflict custody battles can be incredibly stressful, both for parents and children. 

Helping you position yourself not just as a legal guide but also as someone who helps emotionally navigate the process, to help manage the stress and emotional turbulence that often accompanies cases.

🧒 Child Arrangements 

I can help you with:

• ➡️ completion (wording that aligns with welfare checklist + avoids red flags)

• ➡️ interview prep: likely questions, framing concerns credibly, do/don't guidance

• ➡️ coordination: structuring proof of parenting capacity (school, routines, health, stability)

• ➡️ schedule proposals: age-appropriate, realistic, court-friendly plans

• ➡️ Issue / Prohibited Steps Orders: legal tests, threshold, and persuasive framing

💡 Focus: child-centred, proportionate, and credible to CAFCASS and the court.

💷 Financial Remedy Proceedings

Support includes:

• ➡️ A & Form E completion (clear, consistent, defensible disclosure)

• ➡️ & liability schedules (property, business interests, debts, add-backs)

• ➡️ maintenance analysis (needs vs sharing vs compensation models)

• ➡️ valuation coordination (CETVs, when an expert is justified)

• ➡️ strategy: without prejudice positioning, open offers, and negotiation sequencing

💡 Focus: avoiding disclosure pitfalls and strengthening negotiating leverage.

🚨 Domestic Abuse Applications

I can assist with:

• ➡️-molestation & occupation, and finding of facts

• ➡️ / without notice applications

• ➡️ preparation: police logs, GP notes, MARAC, screenshots, witness statements

• ➡️ analysis: what courts actually accept as sufficient evidence➡️

• Safety-focused narrative that avoids exaggeration but demonstrates risk

⚖️ Enforcement Proceedings

Including:

• Child arrangements breach applications

• Financial order enforcement (attachment, charging orders, judgment summons)

• Contempt / committal groundwork

• Variation applications based on a material change in circumstances

• Strategic choice of enforcement route (cost vs effectiveness)

  Permission to Appeal: Strategic Assessment (Before You Draft Anything)

  A. Identify a proper appeal point

  Appeals succeed on error, not dissatisfaction. The viable categories are:

  • Error of law misdirection, wrong legal test, failure to apply case law

  • Procedural unfairness  evidence not considered, improper refusal

  • Error of fact only where plainly wrong or unsupported by evidence

  • Wrong exercise of discretion (Matrimonial Causes Act / Children Act discretion cases)      

Christopher James- Coutanche McKenzie's friends and support team

"I have maintained a strong record of success in highly complex cases, most notably securing a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 2012 known as the voice of the child " Judges' Comments as someone with life experience, and an Expert in his own right and an inspiration to helping others."

The  judgment in this case materially advanced the legal framework governing the consideration of children's wishes and feelings in family proceedings."

🔴 Objective: Empowering and guiding you with the most complex child custody matters, across Private Law family court proceedings, I am an accomplished and highly experienced McKenzie Friend providing structured, knowledgeable, and professional assistance throughout every stage of the court process. including how to assist you with questions you may need for the opposing party or Cafcass in cross-examination on disputed allegations, and how to focus on the main area of contention.

🔴 Practical guidance in all areas of case preparation and courtroom support in Child Custody matters, assisting both mothers and fathers in navigating complex welfare and safeguarding issues. My extensive understanding of how the courts determine a child's living arrangements—and the challenges each parent may face—ensures that you, as a self-representing are always clear on the issues and always strategically and thoroughly prepared on your court documents.

 🔴 Experience matters, especially when facing an opposing legal team, as small mistakes can carry significant consequences. I have a proven track record of success at every level of the Family Court system, including the High Court and the Supreme Court. I provide expert, informed guidance without the high costs of traditional legal representation, offering you the benefit of experience and support comparable to that of any solicitor.

What Does a Child Arrangements Order Cover?

✅ Live With Order (Custody) – Decide which parent the child will live with. Prohibited steps and specific issues order 

• Disputed issues over medical care
• prevent an action by one parent
• Schooling disputes (deciding which school a child should attend)

✅ Spend Time With Order (Contact) – Determines how the child spends time with the non-resident parent, including:

• Direct contact (face-to-face visits, overnight stays).
• Indirect contact (phone calls, video calls, letters).
  ✅ Shared Care Arrangements – When a child spends significant time with both parents.
  ✅ Supervised Contact – If there are concerns about the child's safety, contact may take place in a supervised setting. Help you with contact centre referral.

✅ Finding of Fact Hearings 

A Finding of Fact hearing is a crucial stage in family law proceedings, particularly in cases involving allegations of domestic abuse, coercive control, or other significant disputes that could impact child arrangements. The court uses this hearing to determine whether specific allegations are true before making decisions about child contact, residence, or protective measures.

When is a Finding of Fact Hearing Needed?

A Finding of Fact hearing may be ordered when:
✅ One party makes allegations of domestic abuse, violence, or harm.
✅ There is a dispute over significant events that could impact a child's welfare.
✅ The court needs to establish the truth before proceeding with child arrangement orders.

A Non-Molestation Order prohibits the respondent (the person the order is made against) from:
✅ Using or threatening violence against the applicant.
✅ Harassing, intimidating, or pestering the applicant.
✅ Contacting the applicant directly or indirectly.
✅ Coming near the applicant's home or workplace.

The order can be tailored to specific circumstances and can apply to spouses, ex-partners, cohabitants, family members, or anyone with a close relationship with the applicant

✅ Hague Convention & International Child Abduction Cases 

Hague Convention & International Child Abduction Cases

Expert Guidance in Complex Cross-Border Disputes

International child abduction occurs when a child is taken or retained outside of the country in violation of the other parent's rights of custody or access. The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is a key international treaty designed to protect children from wrongful abduction across international borders. see also the end of this page.

✅ Divorce & Financial Matters – Assistance in financial settlements and proceedings.

Divorce & Financial Matters

Expert Assistance in Financial Settlements & Proceedings

Divorce can be a stressful and complex process, particularly when it comes to financial settlements. Whether you are negotiating a fair division of assets or dealing with financial disputes, understanding your rights and options is crucial.

Key Financial Considerations in Divorce

✅ Division of Assets – Including property, savings, pensions, and investments.
✅ Spousal Maintenance – Whether one party should receive financial support post-divorce.
✅ Child Maintenance – Ensuring financial stability for children after separation AND Cms disputed issues.
✅ Business & High-Value Assets – Protecting or fairly distributing business interests and significant financial holdings.
✅ Debts & Liabilities – Determining responsibility for joint debts

✅ Jurisdiction & Relocation Cases – Guidance on moving with children domestically or internationally. Expert Guidance on Moving with Children Domestically or Internationally

Relocating with a child after separation can be legally complex, whether you're moving within the UK or abroad. The court prioritises the child's best interests, and permission may be required if the other parent does not agree to the move.

Key Considerations in Relocation Cases

✅ Domestic Relocation – Moving within the UK can still be challenging if it significantly affects child arrangements.
✅ International Relocation – Requires permission from the other parent or the court, particularly if the move impacts the child's relationship with the non-resident parent.
✅ Child's Welfare & Stability – The court assesses how the move will benefit or disrupt the child's life, including education, healthcare, and family connections.
✅ Parental Motivation & Practical Plans – Courts examine the relocating parent's reasons and the feasibility of maintaining contact with the non-resident parent.

What is the Hague Convention?

The Hague Convention is an agreement between various countries that ensures children who are wrongfully taken or retained across borders can be returned to their habitual residence. The goal is to prevent international child abduction and resolve disputes regarding custody or access swiftly.

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Remarkable Achievements In a Complex Supreme Court Case 

This case set in a judgment in law and is outstanding for a McKenzie friend to be given such recognition in the appendix notes from a senior Judge, "and described as an expert in his own right "

Known as a well-established Supreme Court case in London (2012) known as The Voice of a Child—now established as case law—I am dedicated to strengthening children's rights in family proceedings. This landmark case highlights the importance of making informed choices when seeking legal support, ensuring that your efforts and resources are directed where they matter most.

One key consideration I have explored over the years is whether it is always necessary to have someone physically present with you in court or if certain matters can be effectively managed in other ways. By strategically allocating resources, you can preserve funds for more significant hearings where legal support is most crucial.

The rules on McKenzie friends is set out below 

https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/JCO/Documents/Guidance/mckenzie-friends-practice-guidance-july-2010.pdf</p>