High-Conflict Complex Child Custody Family Cases That Require Significant Experience.

📞 Contact: Christopher James-Coutanche on 07878 89 6044. Alternatively, use WhatsApp to ask a question

Family Court support

Professional McKenzie Friend with 30 years of advanced-level experience                                          

Specialist Experience in Complex Family Law Proceedings, not just a McKenzie friend

"In 2012, I was directly involved in the widely reported Re Ella Bridge proceedings, an international child law case that progressed through the High Court and engaged significant questions concerning children's participation in decisions affecting their lives. The case arose during a period of evolving family law jurisprudence regarding the 'voice of the child', contributing to wider public and legal discussion about how children's wishes and feelings should be heard and considered within proceedings conducted under the Children Act 1989, and the extent to which family court privacy protections should yield to broader public interest considerations."

My involvement provided valuable insight into the complexities of high-level family litigation, including international child disputes, child welfare considerations, and the practical application of legal principles relating to children's rights and participation in decision-making.

This experience has informed my continued work supporting parents in cases involving:

• International child relocation and leave to remove applications
• High-conflict and intractable child arrangement disputes
• Complex welfare and safeguarding concerns
• Children's wishes and feelings
• Cross-border family law issues
• Appeals and legally complex proceedings
• Cases involving multiple experts and professional agencies

McKenzie Friend Support for Litigants in Person in Finding of Fact Hearings

I have extensive experience supporting parents involved in Finding of Fact Hearings, where allegations and disputed evidence require careful examination. I assist clients in analysing evidence, identifying inconsistencies and weaknesses within the available information, organising documentation, preparing chronologies and witness materials, and ensuring that key issues are clearly presented to the court.

My approach is child-focused and evidence-based, with a strong emphasis on ensuring that the welfare and best interests of children remain central to all proceedings. I work closely with clients to help them understand the issues before the court, prepare effectively for hearings, and present their position in a clear, organised, and professional manner.

Support may include:

• Assistance with case preparation and organisation of evidence
• Reviewing court documents, statements, and supporting material
• Preparing chronologies, schedules, and hearing bundles
• Identifying key issues and evidential gaps
• Guidance on court procedure and hearing preparation
• Support during hearings in the capacity of a McKenzie Friend
• Assistance with note-taking and case management
• Helping clients communicate their case clearly and effectively
• Maintaining a focus on the welfare and best interests of the child throughout proceedings

I aim to empower litigants in person to engage confidently with the family justice system, ensuring they feel informed, prepared, and supported throughout what can often be one of the most significant and stressful periods of their lives.

What distinguishes me from many McKenzie Friends is the depth of my practical court experience of over 5000 cases, my detailed understanding of civil and family court procedures, and my ability to assist litigants in presenting their cases clearly and effectively. 

International relocation

My experience includes assisting parents in cases where one parent seeks permission to permanently relocate a child within the United Kingdom or internationally, and where the proposed move is opposed by the other parent. Such proceedings frequently involve detailed scrutiny of the practical arrangements for the child, the impact on existing relationships, and the potential emotional, psychological, educational, and social consequences of relocation.

I have supported clients in cases involving:

• International relocation applications
• Internal relocation disputes within the UK
• Complex welfare considerations and safeguarding concerns
• Allegations of domestic abuse and coercive or controlling behaviour
• High-conflict parental relationships
• Children with additional needs, disabilities, or complex medical conditions
• Mental health concerns affecting one or both parents
• Detailed analysis of educational, healthcare, and support provision in the proposed destination
• Cross-border family dynamics and cultural considerations
• Cases involving expert evidence and multiple professional agencies
• Applications progressing through the Family Court and High Court

These matters often require the careful analysis of substantial documentary evidence, witness statements, professional reports, and welfare assessments. I assist parents in identifying the key issues before the court, evaluating the strengths and challenges within their case, and ensuring that evidence is presented in a clear, structured, and persuasive manner.

 Child Arrangements 

I can help you with:

Relocation disputes, internal and international Cases involving allegations of domestic abuse, findings of- facts /non molestation cases. Financial and divorce issues.

• ➡️ wording that aligns with welfare checklist.

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

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

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

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

💡 Focus: child-centred realistic directions.

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)

Complex Child Arrangements and Welfare Cases

Providing specialist support in complex child arrangements and custody disputes, including high-conflict and intractable cases where there are significant concerns regarding the welfare, safety, and long-term well-being of children.

Extensive experience working with families and professionals in cases involving:

• Children with complex needs, disabilities, and additional support requirements
• Child and parental mental health difficulties
• Drug and alcohol misuse concerns, including the interpretation of testing and monitoring arrangements
• Highly complex medical conditions and healthcare needs
• Allegations of neglect, emotional harm, or other safeguarding concerns
• Domestic abuse and its impact on children and family relationships
• Cases involving multiple agencies, including social care, health services, education providers, and legal professionals
• Analysis of complex evidence, expert assessments, and welfare reports
• Parental conflict that significantly impacts a child's emotional well-being and development

1 -The Case background 

The Ella Bridge family law case (often referred to as the case of Niki Lee and Richard Bridge) was a High-profile international child abduction dispute between 2010 and 2012 regarding the custody of their daughter, Ella, involving courts in the United Kingdom and Malta. The case centred on a conflict between the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction and the child's established life in Malta; the case summary can be seen in the link below.

 Quote from the presiding High Court in the judgement - Re McKenzie friend 

2-The Judicial Supreme Court has noted that, as an individual with substantial life experience and expertise in his own right, his ability to present legal arguments is both thorough and highly persuasive—on par with that of any trained professional. His depth of knowledge is considered remarkable.

 3-Please refer to the black link provided for full case details.  

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

✅ 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/ Cms disputed issues.
✅ Business & High-Value Assets – Protecting or fairly distributing business interests and significant financial holdings.
✅ Debts & Liabilities – Determining responsibility for joint debts

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>