Access to our McKenzie Friends court service is free

Going to court is a daunting prospect for anyone. From understanding legal paperwork to standing up in the courtroom, it can be an overwhelming experience, and never more so when your safety or your children’s future is at stake.

So imagine how much harder it is for women trying to escape domestic abuse who cannot afford a solicitor but are not eligible for legal aid?

SATEDA’s Support 2 Court service helps women navigate the legal system with practical help such as assisting with protective order applications or injunctions and writing statements.

Crucially, our experienced Support 2 Court advisors are McKenzie Friends, which means they can attend court hearings and guide and assist clients through the entire court process.

The courts allow McKenzie Friends to support people without legal representation, sitting alongside them in court to offer advice on what to say, explain what is happening and take notes. They can also deal with the other party’s solicitors outside the courtroom.

We are able to offer this practical and emotional support free of charge throughout Kent for family court proceedings in Canterbury, Dartford, Maidstone and Medway courts, thanks to our fundraising activities.

Senior Support 2 Court advisor Becci has been helping women get fair outcomes for over five years. “Being able to share our knowledge of the court process makes a huge difference to women who are often understandably struggling to deal with it,” she says. “Just knowing you are not going into that courtroom alone, that someone is by your side and on your side, that’s really important.”

*We are committed to offering Support2Court available for free so that financial hardship is no barrier to justice. To help cover our costs and enable more women to benefit please make a donation.