Criticism for McKenzie Friends U-turn

Published on Wednesday 3 March 2010 21:55

CONSUMER body Which? has stepped up the pressure on Scotland's top judge, by raising concerns about aspects of his plan to introduce McKenzie Friends in Scottish Courts.

Last week, Lord Hamilton performed a U-turn by indicating that he would now allow people representing themselves in civil cases to be accompanied by another person to help them navigate the case.

His announcement came after campaigner Stewart Mackenzie laid a petition before the Scottish Parliament calling for McKenzie Friends to be allowed in civil cases in a similar system to that already employed in England.

But Mr Mackenzie expressed outrage at the conditions to be placed on McKenzie Friends, accusing the judge of putting the Scottish legal system "back into the dark ages" with the proposals.

The Lord President is set to impose rules on the system to compel Mckenzie Friends to sign a certificate outlining their "relevant" legal experience and declaring if they are related to the litigant.