How we can help
Personal Support Across Every Area of Child Custody
Family court is built for legal professionals, and it doesn’t adapt if you are representing yourself. That is what McKenzie Picave is here for. We have more than 25,000 courtroom hours behind us, and we use that experience to help you understand what is actually happening in your case. This is the kind of support that most people only expect from a lawyer for child custody.
Parental Alienation
Is the other parent deliberately undermining your child’s relationship with you? We can help you to understand what steps to take and how to raise it with the court.
Cafcass Guide
Our guide discusses what Cafcass does, what a safeguarding call or interview involves and how to prepare, ensuring you are in the best position to clearly explain your circumstances.
Prohibited Steps Order
These are used to stop the other parent from taking a specific action, without agreement or a court order allowing it. This may include moving your child abroad or changing their school.
Specific Issue Order
These orders are for when you and the other parent are unable to agree on a decision related to your child’s upbringing. These decisions may include schooling or medical treatment.
Parental Responsibility
Outlining what parental responsibility actually means in law, who automatically has it and how to apply for it if you don’t.
Grandparents’ Rights
Grandparents do not automatically have a right to see their grandchildren; however, there are processes to apply for contact. At McKenzie Picave, we can help you understand what is involved in this process.
Why Parents Choose a McKenzie Friend Over a Child Arrangement Lawyer
Legal aid for family cases is becoming increasingly difficult to access, and the fees charged by a typical child arrangement lawyer keep climbing as a result of this. This is a big part of why more parents than ever are representing themselves in family court. Government figures show this: close to half of the private children’s law cases disposed of in early 2026 had neither the applicant nor the respondent legally represented.
Going in without any support puts you at a real disadvantage. We’ve sat through enough hearings to understand where cases are won and lost. We use that experience to help you focus on what actually matters for you, rather than getting lost in the process.
Before applying for a child arrangement order, you usually must attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM), unless exempt. Through our partnership with Mediation Together, we can arrange your mediation for you. This means that if it is the right route for you, you don’t have to go and find a mediator yourself. If mediation doesn’t suit your situation, the next step is the C100 form.
After you submit this, Cafcass will conduct safeguarding checks ahead of your first hearing. From mediation right through to your final hearing, McKenzie Picave is there to guide you through each stage as it comes.
McKenzie Friend in Leicester, Leicestershire and the Rest of England
The benefits & meaning of a McKenzie Friend
There’s the traditional route into the courtroom. You instruct a child arrangement lawyer, who then instructs a barrister. Costs build regardless of how long the case runs or how much strain it places on everyone involved. The barrister attends your hearings but is often briefed by your solicitor beforehand, so you may not meet them properly until shortly before you’re due in court. You end up trusting your case to someone you barely know.
Then there’s McKenzie Picave, an award-winning McKenzie Friend. In more than 20 years and across 3,000+ cases, we’ve built a level of support that goes well beyond what people expect; even the courts don’t always recognise it, but the families we’ve worked with do.
We take your instructions, and then we involve you in every step of the journey. We discuss all the options and the decisions with you as they arise. We are taking this journey together.
Then we do what your solicitor will never do.
We use our experience to tell you which battles are worth fighting and which aren’t. You may disagree with us, but we have a simple objective to get you to the finish line. We want to get you to the best possible outcome for you and your children.
If a barrister is needed, we have a partnership with a chamber of barristers who cover England and Wales, just as we do. We know how they work, and they know how we work. So when the time comes, you will already know who you’re walking into the hearing with.
You Don’t Have to Face This Alone
Child arrangement proceedings are stressful enough without navigating them by yourself. Whether you’re just starting the C100 process or already deep into hearings, McKenzie Picave is with you at every stage.
We’ll help you prepare, understand what Cafcass is looking for, and walk into court knowing exactly what to expect.
Talk to the McKenzie Picave Team
Every court in England and Wales. Remote and in-person support. No solicitor-level fees.
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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.
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.
FAQs
We have provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions in order to ensure that you are well-informed and confident about your next steps.
What is a child arrangement order?
A child arrangement order is a legally binding decision made by the family court. This outlines who the child resides with and who they spend time with. This tends to be the order that people are referring to when talking about child custody.
Do I need a solicitor to get a child arrangement order?
No, there is no legal requirement to have a solicitor to get a child arrangement order. You can apply and go through the court process as a Litigant in Person. Often, parents choose to do this with the support of McKenzie Picave instead. This route is much more affordable than ongoing solicitor fees.
How much does it cost to apply for a child arrangement order?
The cost of applying for a child arrangement order may vary, but currently the court fee for submitting a C100 is £70; help may be available if you are low-income or receive certain benefits. This is separate from the cost of attending MIAM before.
Can a McKenzie Friend represent me in court for child arrangements?
McKenzie Picave sits right beside you throughout your hearing and we will advise you on what to say beforehand. The only limit is that we can’t stand up and address the judge in your place, but in practice, that’s the only thing separating our support from a solicitor’s.
We provide you access to legal advice, prepare every piece of paperwork going to court and walk you through exactly what will happen, what will be said, what may be challenged and the likely outcomes. This ensures nothing catches you off guard.
What happens in a child arrangement order?
The process varies case to case, but often the child arrangement order process tends to go as follows: send your application to the court; Cafcass will conduct safeguarding checks and may speak to both parents. If the matter remains contested, further hearings and reports may take place ahead of a final decision being reached.
What if a parent breaks a court order?
If a parent breaks a court order, you are able to apply for a court enforcement order, which will directly address the breach. Courts take non-compliance seriously, but they focus on why it happened before taking any steps.
Recent articles
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.
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