Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

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Key definition

Law definition

What does Law mean? In legal practice, Law describes the body of binding rules governing parties’ rights and obligations in the relevant jurisdiction(s). It is not a single statutory or case-law definition; in contracts it is a descriptive catch‑all used to capture all sources of applicable law. Law includes: (a) any primary or secondary legislation (including regulations, statutory instruments and byelaws) in force from time to time that applies to a party or to the place the Services are provided; (b) the common law and, where applicable, equity; (c) any binding court order, judgment or decree; (d) any applicable industry code,

Public law children proceedings: litigants in person, McKenzie friends and court assistance—guidance and practice (England and Wales)

Published by a LexisNexis Family expert

Practice notes

This PrACTice Note provides clear direction and recommended practice for situations where a party appears in person or with a McKenzie friend in public Law Children proceedings, and explains the courts’ stance on the reasonable assistance to be offered to a Litigant in person when presenting their case, as well as on the appointment of a McKenzie friend.

General principles

Every participant in care proceedings is entitled to a fair hearing, and the parents and child benefit from the safeguards of Article 6 (the right to a fair trial) under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), as incorporated into the Human Rights Act 1998.

There is no requirement to instruct a solicitor; however, in care proceedings, unlike private law children proceedings, legal aid continues to be available for the child, the parents, and anyone else with parental responsibility, irrespective of means, so the majority of parents are legally represented.

Self-represented parties are comparatively uncommon in that particular setting.

In other types of proceedings, the legal aid position differs; see Practice Note: Eligibility for family legal aid...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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