Skeleton Argument County Court

[thebigyinnn]

my partner is the defendant against a company well known for its dubious practices - in court on Thursday.
she is appearing as a litigant in person (with me as a McKenzie friend)
Opposing solicitor has asked to exchange skeleton arguments - do we have to do this before the day?
The paperwork from the court suggests that we just have to lodge them there.
thank you in advance for any help offered
Pete

[Barmaid]

IF skeleton arguments are ordered to be lodged in advance, the protocol is to exchange them with the other side at the same time. I don't know the precise wording of the order to which you refer, however, it would be usual to order that they be "filed and served" (ie filed with the Court and served on the other side).

Remember, it is a skeleton though - so keep it skeletal rather than corpse like.

[tonywiltshire]

Good advice from BM, lodge the outline of your defence with the other side but do not try to be clever in court or it may rebound on you. Your friend as self-litigant or I understand we should now say, self-represented litigant, may be assisted in court, in my view self-litigation will become very popular and in some cases forced upon people. As a mckenzie friend you will know you can help & support the litigant in every way except addressing the court.

[BayBoy1]

What is a McKenzie friend???

[Barmaid]

It is an unqualified person with no rights of audience who assists a litigant in person during a hearing. They cannot address the Court but can take notes and offer support and advice to the litigant.

[Sharingan]

It's someone who is not legally trained but is there to support and assist someone who is representing themselves.

[Sharingan]

Oh sorry Barmaid you weren't there when I answered.