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News

Bar raises concerns over fee-earning McKenzie friends, with judicial consultation imminent

updated on 01 June 2015

Concern among lawyers regarding the rise of fee-earning McKenzie friends, notably among members of the Bar, has heightened following the dramatic ban of a McKenzie friend from the courtroom.

The incident involved Nigel Baggaley, who was banned indefinitely from assisting others in court after his abusive behaviour toward lawyers.

Some have expressed apprehension about the imminent consultation by the judiciary; as reported by The Law Society Gazette, Susan Jacklin QC - chair of the Family Law Bar Association – fears that the consultation will not agree that McKenzie friends "are cannibalising work that the Bar should be doing".

Derek Sweeting QC, chairman of the Bar Council’s Legal Service Committee, said: "The Bar Council’s concern is that where members of the public are being asked to pay for the services of a McKenzie friend they should be aware that they are dealing with individuals who are unregulated, uninsured and who seldom have any legal training..."