Guiding Stars UK – Terms & Conditions

Last Updated: 15th February 2026

These Terms and Conditions set out how Guiding Stars UK provides independent McKenzie Friend support.

They explain what clients can expect from our services, the limits of our role, and how we maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and fairness in all our work.

By booking or using our services, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.
If you have any questions, please contact us before booking.

1. Scope of Service (McKenzie Friend Role)

Guiding Stars UK provides independent McKenzie Friend support. We are not solicitors or barristers and do not provide legal advice.

Our Role: To provide lay support in accordance with the Practice Guidance: McKenzie Friends (Civil and Family Courts) 2010.
Limitations: We do not have a "right of audience" (the right to speak for you in court) or a "right to conduct litigation" (the right to file or serve court documents).
Responsibility: All court documents, submissions, and strategic decisions remain your sole responsibility. You must review and sign all documents before submission.

2. Services Provided

Guiding Stars UK may assist with:

Personal support and mentoring
General guidance and explanation of court processes
Drafting paperwork, forms, and planning
Organisation of case documents
Signposting to other support
Discussion of options and next steps
Case preparation meetings
Drafting and reviewing statements and submissions
Attending court with you in the role of McKenzie Friend to provide moral support and note-taking

All written work is provided as a draft for you to review, amend, and approve.

3. Allocation of McKenzie Friends

Guiding Stars UK works with a small team of McKenzie Friends. Clients may express a preference, subject to availability.

If a chosen McKenzie Friend becomes unavailable due to illness or unforeseen circumstances, an alternative may be offered.
You may accept the replacement or request a transfer, in line with Section 10 of these Terms.

4. Client Responsibilities

You agree that:

all decisions about your case remain yours
you are responsible for the accuracy of all information provided
you will cooperate and provide timely, complete information
you may seek independent legal advice at any time

Guiding Stars UK is not responsible for the outcome of your case. All decisions remain at the discretion of the court.

5. Confidentiality & Data Protection

All information and case papers are treated as confidential.

Confidentiality may be broken where required by law or where there is a risk of serious harm to you or others.

Personal data is handled in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
A separate Privacy Policy applies.

6. Insurance and Professional Standards

Guiding Stars UK holds appropriate Professional Indemnity, Public Liability, and Cyber Insurance and is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

All work is carried out in accordance with the Practice Guidance on McKenzie Friends (2010) and current Family Court expectations.

Liability Cap: Our total liability for any claim arising out of our services is limited to the total fees paid by you for the specific booking in question.
Exclusion: Nothing in these terms excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, or any other liability that cannot be excluded by English law.

7. Fees & Payment

Fees are charged in accordance with the Guiding Stars UK Price List, as in force at the time of booking. Section 14 provides a summary of core fees.

A booking is confirmed only once the required payment in advance, client credit, or (where applicable) court attendance booking deposit has been received.

Booking a call via Calendly is for scheduling purposes only and does not constitute the start of services.
Work begins only once the required payment in advance or client credit has been received.

Additional costs such as travel, accommodation, mileage, or parking will be agreed in advance and itemised on invoices.

Payments are made in consideration of time reserved and preparation undertaken and are therefore non-refundable once a booking is confirmed, except where required by law.

Fee Changes

Guiding Stars UK may update its fees and charges from time to time.

Any changes will apply only to new bookings made on or after the date the updated Fee Schedule is published.

Fees agreed and paid for existing bookings will not be affected by later price changes.

Updated fees will be published on the Guiding Stars UK website and/or confirmed in writing at the time of booking.

8. Client Credit & Chargeable Work

Where ongoing support is required, clients may be asked to maintain a client credit balance.

Client credit is used toward chargeable services including:

calls
emails
messages
drafting
preparation
case-related support

Client credit must remain in funds at all times.
No further chargeable work will be undertaken once the balance is exhausted.

Fees for work already undertaken are non-refundable
Any unused client credit is refundable within 14 days once services end or upon written request. Refunds will be made to the original payment method unless otherwise agreed.

9. Refunds, Cancellations & Transfers

Guiding Stars UK provides time-reserved, preparation-based services. Once booked, time is reserved exclusively for the client and cannot usually be reallocated.

No-Refund Principle

All services provided by Guiding Stars UK are time-reserved and preparation-based. Once a service is booked, the booking is non-refundable, regardless of whether the service is later used, cancelled, or not fully utilised, except where Guiding Stars UK cancels the service or a refund is required by law.

Court Attendance

A £200 non-refundable Court Attendance Booking Deposit is required to secure a court date.
The remaining balance must be paid no later than 28 days before the hearing
If payment is not received by this deadline, the booking may be released

Transfers

Where a client is unable to proceed:

One transfer may be offered with at least 14 days’ notice, subject to availability
Transfers are discretionary and limited to one per booking
No transfers will be offered within 14 days of a scheduled court hearing or professional meeting
No refunds are issued where a court or professional body adjourns or cancels a hearing

Consultations & Remote Sessions

48+ hours’ notice: one transfer may be offered
Less than 48 hours’ notice: no refund or transfer

If Guiding Stars UK Cancels

If Guiding Stars UK needs to cancel or is unable to attend a booking due to illness, emergency, or unforeseen circumstances, Guiding Stars UK will notify you as soon as reasonably possible.

In this situation, you will be offered either a full refund of the Guiding Stars UK service fees paid for that booking, or a transfer of the booking to a new date, subject to availability.

For the avoidance of doubt, a “full refund” refers to Guiding Stars UK’s service fees only and does not include travel, accommodation, or other third-party expenses, except where such costs are recoverable in accordance with the provider’s cancellation terms.

Travel, Accommodation & Third-Party Expenses

Where travel, accommodation, or other third-party expenses have been booked to enable attendance:

Such expenses are agreed with you in advance and charged at cost
Any recoverable costs will be refunded where possible
Non-refundable costs already incurred cannot be refunded
Refunds are subject to the terms and conditions of the relevant provider

Guiding Stars UK cannot accept liability for losses arising from third-party cancellation policies.

10. Cooling-Off Period (Consumer Contracts Regulations)

You have a 14-day cooling-off period from the date of agreement.

If you request work to begin within this period, you agree to pay for work already carried out.
If services are fully completed within the cooling-off period, the right to cancel ends.

This statutory right does not override the non-refundable nature of bookings once work has commenced, except as required by law.

11. Suspension & Termination

Services may be suspended or terminated where:

payment is not made when due
required information is not provided
behaviour is abusive, threatening, or inappropriate

Fees already paid or due remain payable and non-refundable.

12. Communication & Contact Policy

Quick calls or emails under 5 minutes per day: no charge
Chargeable communication is billed in 15-minute units at £22.50

No chargeable communication will be undertaken without a client credit balance in place.

13. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the law of England and Wales.
Any disputes are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

14. Fee Schedule

A full and current Fee Schedule / Price List is provided to clients as part of the Welcome Pack prior to booking and payment.

Standard hourly rate: £90 per hour
Communication (per 15 minutes): £22.50
Professional meetings: £90 per hour
Court attendance (half day, up to 4 hours): £350
Court attendance (full day, over 4 hours): £500
Court Attendance Booking Deposit: £200

Travel and expenses (mileage, parking, accommodation, public transport): at cost.

These Terms & Conditions are published for transparency and are reviewed regularly to ensure clarity, fairness, and compliance with current guidance for McKenzie Friends.

If you have any questions about these Terms before booking, please get in touch.