Since the decimation of civil legal aid, the restriction on criminal legal aid and the often prohibitive fees charged by lawyers for tribunal representation, people have looked for a solution.

The Lord Chief Justice suggested that young barristers might appear, pro bono. That bombed.

The lay client , formerly a rare beast, has emerged from the forest and run into the legal jungle.

Help is at hand. The McKenzie friend. So called after the landmark case that permitted unqualified legal support in certain circumstances.

In England , young Fraser Matcham  has created McKenzie Friend Marketplace [MFM] and attracted criticism from the vested ranks of the legal profession.

“no experience, no regulation, no insurance, etc etc”

He has been forced to make some concessions already.

Whether or not he will survive is debatable but he is to be applauded for his efforts. Perhaps history will see him as the Laker Airways of the legal profession.

Look out for Easybrief…