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Having to suffer - and I use that word correctly 'suffer' - the ineptitude of appalling McKenzie Friends who make matters much. much worse, and often drive a DJ / CJ to despair, isn't it about time the MOJ realises that the system is beyond repair and absolutely on it's knees? Why allow this bunch in?

It's like sending the Keystone Cops into a burning building with water pistols and flammable coats. Someone turns up Archbold Criminal Pleading 2002 - to a civil or family action, and tries to address a jury, whilst affectedly speaking like Donald Sinden.
Ten minute applications turn into three hour yawn-fests with the Judge inevitably adjourning for lack of judicial time, after developing a nervous tick.

Extending the metaphor - you don't put out a forest fire by throwing petrol onto it - or at least you shouldn't do.

McKenzie friends should be non-chargeable professional sensible people with a regulatory body who are the absolute exception to the rule, and allowed into the simplest of hearings to provide limited assistance for friendly assistance, not commercial gain. They never advise, because they're simply not capable of doing so.

I use this example all the time - I don't go and see a bloke with a book on teeth and a pair of pliers if I have a bad tooth. I see a dentist. The fees Mckenzie folks charge are ludicrous - and hugely above the profit margin of a decent qualified, insured solicitor - I saw someone have the audacity to say ' I ONLY charge £80 an hour....'

Look, if you want to come to court, get qualified and insured please - alternatively, stay away.

... wait for the inept comments to follow by the charge of the Bright Brigade....