Community Legal Companions
Trained volunteers who provide practical support, guidance, and companionship to those navigating the family court system without legal representation.
What Community Legal Companions Do
CLCs are trained to provide two key types of support: signposting to appropriate services and assisting with practical tasks related to your court case.
Signposting
CLCs are trained to direct you to appropriate services and resources. This includes:
- Local legal advice services and law centres
- Support organizations (domestic abuse, housing, etc.)
- Court services and procedures information
- Mediation and alternative dispute resolution
Assisting
CLCs provide hands-on practical assistance with your case. This includes:
- Helping complete court forms accurately
- Organizing documents and creating bundles
- Accompanying you to court hearings
- Providing emotional support throughout
The Four Types of Assistance
Directing you to appropriate services, resources, and organizations that can help with your specific situation. We help you understand what options are available and where to find the right support.
Assisting with the completion of court forms and legal documents. We help you understand what information is needed and ensure forms are filled in correctly and completely.
Helping you organize your documents and paperwork for court. This includes creating bundles, ordering documents chronologically, and ensuring you have everything you need for your hearing.
Providing emotional support and practical assistance on the day of your court hearing. We can sit with you in court, help you stay calm, and take notes during proceedings.
McKenzie Friend Principles
When CLCs accompany you to court, they act as "McKenzie Friends" - a recognised role in the English legal system that allows a non-lawyer to assist a litigant in person.
What is a McKenzie Friend?
The name comes from the 1970 case McKenzie v McKenzie, which established the right of a litigant in person to receive assistance from a friend in court. The McKenzie Friend Practice Guidance (July 2010) sets out what assistance can and cannot be provided.
A McKenzie Friend provides moral support, takes notes, helps with papers, and quietly advises the litigant. They cannot speak in court or provide legal representation - but their presence can make a significant difference to someone facing proceedings alone.
- Take notes during court proceedings
- Help organize and find documents
- Provide quiet advice and suggestions
- Offer emotional support and reassurance
- Help you stay focused and calm
- ×Cannot speak on your behalf in court
- ×Cannot examine or cross-examine witnesses
- ×Cannot address the judge directly
- ×Cannot sign court documents on your behalf
- ×Cannot provide formal legal advice
Our Community Legal Companions
Become a Community Legal Companion
Are you passionate about access to justice? Do you want to make a real difference in your community? CLOCK provides comprehensive training to become a Community Legal Companion.
Need Support from a CLC?
If you're facing a family court matter without legal representation, our Community Legal Companions may be able to help. Apply today to see if you qualify for our free support services.