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Whatever’s Brought You Here
It is completely okay to be unsure what you need, whether it’s a child arrangements order, a prohibited steps order, a specific issue order or something completely different. Most people don’t know what they need, but with McKenzie Picave, you don’t need to work it out alone. You might be wondering:
Whichever one of these issues resonates with you, we can help you work out what happens next.
Daniel Ryan: 20+ Years Supporting Families Through Family Court
Daniel Ryan founded McKenzie Picave more than 20 years ago and has been supporting people through family court since then. In that time, he has supported more than 3,000 family law cases and spent more than 25,000 hours in courtrooms across England and Wales.
Daniel didn’t set out to build a business. He started because, in his words, “there are people who just need to be helped”. That exact ethos still drives McKenzie Picave today.
You can hear more from Daniel on his podcast, That Family Law Guy: Unfiltered.
Guidance for Every Stage of Your Case
Stay informed with the latest insights, updates, and guidance from the team at McKenzie Picave. Our recent articles cover topics across family court proceedings, legal support, mediation, and real-life issues affecting individuals and families today.
CAFCASS Clarify Parental Responsibility
Parental responsibility means that a person is responsible for the care and wellbeing of their child and is expected to make important decisions about the child’s life. All birth mothers have parental r...
Borrowed Scenarios – Eight Facets of Parental Alienation
Eight Facets of Parental Alienation – 7: Borrowed Scenarios “Borrowed scenarios” in the context of parental alienation refer to instances where a child utilises phrases, narratives, or...
The Dangers Of Sharing Photos Of Your Children Online
“I am just sharing photos of my child, what’s the harm?” The average parent shares almost 1,500 images of their child before their fifth birthday, research has revealed – prompting major concerns ...
How Much Are Your Children Worth?
How Much Are Your Children Worth? So, you have fallen out with your spouse and the fall out has been pretty messy so you have decided to take the matter into Family Court. There are accusations going ba...
The Glossary of CAFCASS
Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) – This is an organisation which works with children and young people and their families, and then advises the family court on what it con...
How to Prepare for Family Court
You don’t need to understand everything before you begin. Good preparation is about confidence, not expertise. We want you to feel ready to walk into the room and speak to the judge; that matters more than knowing every rule in advance.
Often, family court cases begin with an application known as a C100 form. This is used to apply for a child arrangements order or prohibited steps order. Depending on what your case needs, this may also be suitable for a specific issue order.
Before applying, many parents attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting, also known as MIAM. However, there are situations in which an exemption will be granted.
Once your form is submitted, the court will set a timetable and parents often also receive a letter from Cafcass. If you are unsure what you should expect from Cafcass, our Cafcass guide delves further into this and explains how a case involving Cafcass typically unfolds.
McKenzie Picave has built strong relationships with barristers over more than 20 years. This means that when your case needs formal legal advice or advocacy, we can help you access it, alongside our ongoing support in the room. McKenzie Picave is not a solicitors’ practice, but you are never left without a route to proper legal support when your case calls for it.
Podcast Quote
“When you go through that door of a courtroom for the first time, you’re entering a process.” – Daniel Ryan, That Family Law Guy: Unfiltered
In Daniel’s Own Words: Preparing For Family Court
Episode 1
Does Family Court Enable Continued Abuse? | Court Red Flags
With Carrie, Lejla Dauti & Louise Cadman
Episode 2
Can Domestic Abusers Change? | Protect, Punish or Prevent?
With Carrie, Lejla Dauti & Louise Cadman
Episode 3
Do Paying Fans Think They Own You? | Unfiltered Podcast
With Irshad, Lucie & Vicci
Episode 4
Can Family Court Take Your Child Away? | A Father’s Story
With Andrea, Camilla & David
Episode 5
When Does an Argument Become Domestic Abuse? | Red Flags
With Carrie, Lejla Dauti & Louise Cadman
Episode 6
Why Are Women on OnlyFans Judged So Harshly? | Unfiltered Podcast
With Irshad, Lucie & Mike
Episode 7
Can Family Court Break You? | The Hidden Cost of Divorce
With Andrea, Camilla & Mike
Episode 8
Do False Abuse Claims Harm Real Victims? | Family Court
With Lejla Dauti, Carrie and Louise Cadman
Episode 9
OnlyFans, Allegations & the Cost of Family Court | Unfiltered Podcast
With Lucie, Mike & Vicci
Episode 10
Does Money Decide Family Court? | Allegations & Mental Health
With Camilla, David & Mike
Episode 11
When Family Court Orders Are Ignored | Who Pays the Price?
With Irshad, Mike & Vicci
Episode 12
How a Breakup Can Break You | Family Court Unfiltered
With Andrea, David & Mike
Episode 13
Falsely Accused & Fighting for His Kids | Family Court Unfiltered
With Laurie and Mike
Episode 14
How Extreme Can Control Get? | Family Court, BDSM & Allegations
With Laurie and Mike
Episode 15
He Had to Walk Away From His Kids | Family Court
With Laurie and Mike
C100 Form: How to Fill It In
By correctly filling out the C100 form, you save yourself weeks of delay. The form will ask for details about you and the other parent, your children, and whether there is any risk of harm, and will require a supporting document known as a C1A.
If you are unsure how to fill in a C100 form, ensure you are prioritising accuracy over speed. Missing information is one of the main reasons that an application is delayed.
How to Prepare a Court Bundle
When your case reaches a hearing, you may also need a court bundle. Since March 2026, Practice Direction 27A sets out what a bundle should include and how it should be paged. Now, electronic bundles are the most common.
Learning how to prepare a court bundle without legal training can feel daunting. Our team can talk you through exactly what the court is looking for.
Tell us what’s happening and what you need.
We help you organise documents, write statements and know what to expect.
We are by your side for every hearing and every step after.
Someone To Talk To And Somewhere To Start
Family Lives Helpline
A free, confidential helpline for any family issue, staffed by trained volunteers who will always listen without judgement. Open evenings and weekends, always there when things feel hardest. Call 0808 800 2222
Citizens Advice
No-cost, independent advice on family issues, including what happens following the end of a relationship. Call 0800 144 8848.
GOV.UK: Mediation Before You Apply To Court
Official government guidance on the mediation Information and Assessment Meeting that is often necessary before applying, as well as when you may be exempt.
Cafcass: Information For Parents And Carers
Cafcass explains the private law process directly, including safeguarding checks and Section 7 reports. Useful alongside our own guidance.
You Don’t Have to Face This Alone
Each family court case is unique, but the feeling of walking in unrepresented and alone is one we hear about often. With McKenzie Picave, you don’t have to face that alone.
Led by founder Daniel Ryan, we’ve supported more than 3,000 family law cases. We’ve spent more than 25,000 hours in courtrooms across England and Wales.
We understand what a C100 form means, what a Cafcass officer is assessing and how to build a court bundle a judge can actually use. If your case needs formal legal advice, we can help you access it too.
Read more about the families we’ve supported in our case studies, or see what support costs on our fees page.
Book a free, no-obligation consultation and let us help you prepare with confidence.
Contact Us
Confidential, no-obligation consultation
For more information or to request a callback, please fill in the form below. A member of our team will respond shortly.
FAQs
What is a Section 7 in family court?
A Section 7 report is usually produced by Cafcass, and it helps the judge decide what’s best for your child. This document looks at each parent’s circumstances as well as any welfare concerns. The court will then consider this report carefully, but it is important to recognise that this is not the only evidence used to decide your case.
Is family court free?
No, there is usually a fee to apply, but the exact amount can change. If you are on a low income, you may be able to get support with fees. We’d always recommend checking the current fee before applying. Working with a McKenzie Friend often costs less than a solicitor.
How does family court work?
The majority of cases begin with a MIAM, which is then followed by an application such as a C100 form. The court will then list a first hearing, often with Cafcass involved beforehand. Then, hearings will continue until an agreement is reached or a judge makes a final decision. Each case will move at its own pace, so there is no fixed timeline.
How to apply to family court for child access?
To discuss child arrangements for your child with the court, you will usually have to apply for a child arrangements order. Ahead of applying, most parents will need to attend a MIAM unless an exemption applies. Then, you will have to fill out a C100 form and submit it to the court. Our team will guide you through each step, from the first hearing to the final hearing. With McKenzie Picave, you will never be alone.
What happens if I disagree with Cafcass?
If you disagree with the Cafcass report, you are able to raise your concerns with the court. This is typically done through a position statement or at the next hearing.