Preparing for a court hearing
A calm structure for the days before the hearing, arrival, papers, notes and post-hearing follow-up.
Read guideCourt support
McKenzie Friend support
What practical courtroom support can look like, where the limits sit, and what to prepare before asking the court.
What this means
- A McKenzie Friend may sit with a litigant in person, help organise papers, take notes and quietly prompt practical points.
- They do not automatically have a right to speak for you, conduct the case, sign documents or act as a solicitor.
- The judge remains in control of what support is allowed in the hearing.
Before the hearing
- Prepare a short note explaining who your supporter is and what help you are asking the court to allow.
- Keep your papers indexed so the supporter can find the right document quickly.
- Agree simple signals for note-taking, questions to return to, and anything you must not forget.
CourtReadySupport can help with
- Preparing a permission note for McKenzie Friend support.
- Sorting the papers and creating a hearing-day checklist.
- Helping you understand the practical boundaries before you arrive.
Related guides
Keep building the picture.
Remote and video hearings
Practical steps for phone, video and hybrid hearings, including documents, technology and privacy.
Read guidePreparing a court bundle
How to turn scattered papers into an indexed, paginated bundle that is easier to use at court.
Read guideNeed help with this task?