What is a McKenzie Friend? A McKenzie Friend is an individual who assists someone representing themselves in court (a litigant in person). The use of McKenzie Friends is subject to the discretion of the court. A judge can deny their presence if they deem it inappropriate or disruptive to the proceedings. The term ‘McKenzie Friend’ comes from the landmark case of McKenzie v McKenzie in 1970. The husband sought help from a friend who wasn’t legally qualified. The Court of Appeal recognised that people representing themselves in court could benefit from this kind of support. As a result, the role of McKenzie Friends was acknowledged.