Success Stories - Positive Outcomes with Graham Fletcher, McKenzie Friend

This blog post focuses on the success stories that litigants in person have described in their public reviews of Graham Fletcher's Mckenzie Friend service on platforms such as Google My Business, Yell, Facebook and Linked-In. The latter 2 platforms are no longer endorsed by Graham Fletcher and therefore screenshots of past reviews on those platforms are presented as jpegs on the reviews page of this website.

As family court proceedings are “private”, litigant in person parents need to be thoughtful and considerate to maintaining and nurturing the positive outcomes achieved in family court. As a result they are necessarily selective in the aspects of their case they choose to share. Social media posts celebrating success in family courts would be a bad idea on many levels, which directly influences how my clients describe their success stories in their McKenzie Friend reviews. Both Google and Yell offer opportunities to either use their real name or have an unidentifiable user name.

As a McKenzie Friend Graham Fletcher encourages his clients to refrain from making particular details public and to focus on how his McKenzie Friend service offerings helped them. If the McKenzie Friend client has previously used the services of a family lawyer Graham asks them to consider comparing the two different service offerings, to assist other Mothers and Fathers in deciding whether to use Graham Fletcher McKenzie Friend service offerings to achieve a successful family court outcome for their family.

Taken from Graham's book "Eyes Wide Open", clients, in their own words, describe their success stories of How using a McKenzie Friend helps a litigant in person?:

Emotional support throughout the court process

On this aspect of McKenzie Friend support Mr Owen Hayes says: “...Graham provided professional, empathetic and compassionate support and advice. He has a great understanding of family law. Graham was always contactable whenever I needed him, even at weekends and evenings which was a great emotional support. He learned all the details of my case and assisted me in all areas of the case i.e. reviewing statements and communications and how best to improve them”

Helps them understand how family courts work

On this aspect of McKenzie Friend support Mr Alex Bruce says: “...Graham has been an extraordinary asset before and when going into the family court. A family court is a horrible place to attempt to resolve issues however Graham has quite frankly been incredible. His insights in how the court works and the involvement of CAFCASS bought to life the benefits and limitations of what can be achieved. .. Graham is an incredible mix of a humanitarian and someone who understands the practicalities of facilitation and law. He is not a lawyer as he was firm to point out, however I have felt his diligence, attention to detail and genuine care surpass any help I could have received via any other assistance”

Supports the development of a positive mindset

On this aspect of McKenzie Friend support Mr Ollie Jukes says: “...Graham has a very kind, calming and child centred nature which helped me remain clear headed and confident during the intimidating court proceedings. I was able to represent myself effectively, even when the Mother was represented by an aggressive barrister who basically tried to legally bully, confuse and intimidate me into submission, I was able to stand my ground thanks to Grahams support”

Provides impartial analysis of the case

On this aspect of McKenzie Friend support Mr Luke Plowden says: “...Before I’d even taken the first step of applying to Family Court, Graham’s experience and knowledge were key to helping me to understand the possible options at each and every stage . . .I was able to rely on Graham’s calm approach as well as his hard earned wisdom, before making numerous important decisions. He was honest enough to identify all the risks and possible outcomes and point out if ever he thought there was better way for me to handle any particular issue or situation”

Helps them articulate their short and long term aims

On this aspect of McKenzie Friend support Mr J C Carlton says: “...Graham is personable, approachable, open and honest. Will not tell you what you want to hear and will always ensure you understand your options, and most importantly will treat you as a person and empathise with your situation, plus with his depth of knowledge in the family courts, there is nothing he can’t advise or prepare you for”

Review documents and offer feedback to consider

On this aspect of McKenzie Friend support Mr Shane O'Leary says: “We hit Graham at the last minute, with a ton of poorly prepared paperwork. He didn't flap, he dug in, read up and called back with excellent advice. Follow up service was also top notch. In short, Graham is professional, but approachable, realistic, but supportive and far better value for money than the 'specialist' solicitor we spoke to in the first place”

Assist them to understand legalese

On this aspect of McKenzie Friend support Professor G says: “...Graham was extremely professional and kept calm, even when challenged by a difficult barrister. He offered advice at the right moments during the Court Hearing and clarified various legal procedures. As a university professor, I am used to public speaking and arguing in a detached and rational way, but courts follow their own logic, which I wasn’t familiar with. Graham helped me to understand this logic and how to rewrite my personal statement and present my arguments in a clearer way.”

Helps them in their negotiations with lawyers

On this aspect of McKenzie Friend support Mr McDermott says: "...I just wanted to say a massive thank-you for all the help you have given me both in the lead up to my court hearing (helping me prepare my position statement) and at the actual court hearing, whereby you instantly put me at ease and talked me through the process and were always at hand to give advice and recommendations on how to achieve the desired outcome - what's best for the children! Not only did you help me, but you also managed to mediate with the other party and I have no doubt that this helped us reach a conclusion that morning of the hearing - something I never thought would happen"

Takes notes and supports them to stay calm and focussed

On this aspect of McKenzie Friend support Mr Dye says: "...Graham took notes and was able to prompt me if I was about to miss something. The end result was that I was more calm and wasn't worried about making a mistake, I also felt like I wasn't as vulnerable to any "tactics" from the other side. Graham has a calming manner and is well informed, with plenty of experience, therefore he is a great antidote to those mercenary lawyers"

Helps them respond to fast moving court processes

On this aspect of McKenzie Friend support Mr Collis says: "...Your assistance at the FHDRA was excellent. You were continuously aware of developments on the day and helped me with every step of the hearing. I was particularly impressed by two things; (a) Your hands-on involvement and practical advice in the pre-hearing discussions with Cafcass and the mother's barrister. (b) Your clear and reactive guidance on what to say during the hearing"