A Practical Guide to Working With Litigants in Person and McKenzie Friends in Civil Proceedings

The increase in the number of Litigants in Person in civil proceedings has become a challenge for advocates and courts including the Court of Appeal. Whilst assistance is often available for the Litigant in Person, there is less practical help for the practitioner. This book seeks to address this shortfall and gives practical advice on how to work with an unrepresented opponent. It also considers the role of the McKenzie Friend and how they can assist the Litigant in Person during a court hearing.

Subjects covered include:

• Reasons for Litigant in Person in civil courts
• The courts approach to the Litigant in Person
• Implications of working with a Litigant in Person
• Understanding the difficulties for the Litigant in Person
• Rules of Engagements for the advocate
• Managing clients expectations
• Costs issues
• McKenzie Friends
• Help available for the Litigant in Person
• Case Law: Tinkler v Elliott (2012); Jones v Longley & Others (2015); Hobson v West London Law Solicitors (2013); Agarwala v Agarwala (2016) Barton v Wright Hassle (2018) LFA v LSL (2017)