TRAIN TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL

McKENZIE FRIEND

Our McKenzie Friend Training Course was created in response to the growing demand for professional, knowledgeable, and well-prepared McKenzie Friends who want to stand out in an increasingly crowded and unregulated field. Many people enter this role having represented themselves in their own case and assume that experience alone is sufficient. In reality, handling one personal case offers only a very narrow insight into the wide range of family law matters, case types, and strategies that a professional McKenzie Friend must understand. Every case is different What works in one situation may be entirely inappropriate in another. Clients rely on McKenzie Friends to provide informed guidance that can influence life-changing decisions. Over many years attending court, I have encountered McKenzie Friends who are simply out of their depth, offering unhelpful or inaccurate guidance, yet still taking clients’ money. This course exists to raise standards and provide proper, structured training for those who take this role seriously. In the past, finding a good McKenzie Friend was often a matter of chance. A client who feels they “won” their case may recommend their McKenzie Friend, but success in court does not necessarily reflect skill, knowledge, or professionalism. Lets face it, 50% of all parties leave court believing they were successful, regardless of the quality of representation. What This Course Offers This training course brings together everything Simon Walland has learned over 25 years in the Family Courts. Simon has been training McKenzie Friends since 2013 and has supported thousands of cases across England and Wales. This is a high-level professional training programme, consisting of 15 in-depth modules covering Family Law. Each module includes an assignment designed to reinforce learning and ensure real understanding before moving on. The course is practical, structured, and grounded in real court experience — not theory. The full course includes over 100 hours of tuition and can be taken at anytime to suit your needs. Ongoing Support You will have continued access to Simon Walland for guidance and support on cases you take on, including help with unfamiliar or challenging issues as they arise. You are never left to manage difficult situations alone. Course Pathways There are three training options available: Children Cases Only (Includes Domestic Abuse, as it commonly arises in children proceedings) Financial Cases Only Full Professional Programme Covering Children, Domestic Abuse, and Financial Matters, everything required to manage family court cases confidently and competently