Your Guide Through the Family & Civil Court System

Navigating family court can be one of the most challenging experiences of your life. Whether you're dealing with a complex issue or an urgent situation, the process can feel overwhelming and isolating. At Litigant In Person Support, my mission is to provide you with the essential support, information, and guidance you need to feel confident and in control.

I am a McKenzie Friend and a committed partner who will stand by your side. I cannot give legal advice or speak for you, but I will empower you by helping you understand the legal process and preparing you to represent yourself effectively. My support is built on a foundation of professional experience, academic knowledge, and a deeply personal understanding of the family justice system.

You deserve to be heard. Let's navigate this together.

Our Current Service Levels

We are currently accepting enquiries for:
Family Court Matters: Child Arrangements - all

Non-molestation orders - Urgent service available
Money Claims - Under £10'000 (Small Claims)
Free Email Support Service: Please allow one week for reply 

 

OUR CURRENT FACE TO FACE SUPPORT AREAS:
All areas covered by English and Welsh Law

About Me

Jonathan Cotterill-Bolsover

Founder and Layperson

Currently studying the CILEX CPD Qualification.

Student member of CILEX.

HE Qualification in Psychology.

HE Cert in Social Science.

Level 3 Award in Education and Training.

Student Member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX).

Hello, I'm Jonathan Cotterill-Bolsover, the founder of Litigant In Person Support. I have a passion for assisting and empowering people and have turned that passion towards law support. I am currently a legal student whilst also working for a leading national organisation offering support to litigants in person. My experiences run far and wide in the legal arena. My work is further strengthened by my qualifications in Psychology and Social Science, which provide a robust academic grounding for my approach. I'm currently a law student and became a lead volunteer with a leading national charity where I dedicated my time to providing frontline support to individuals like you.
I am an active member of the South Yorkshire Police Stop and Search Scrutiny Panel in conjunction with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Authority. 
This hands-on experience has given me a deep, practical understanding of a wide range of family and civil law situations. I worked with and alongside hundreds of clients over the phone, face to face and in court.

Our services

Our Services

My support is structured to provide you with the right level of assistance for your needs:

Foundation: Always Free

This tier provides general legal information and resources to help you understand your situation.

  • Email Support: Get answers to general legal questions and receive signposting to other relevant organisations, such as legal aid providers and pro bono charities.

Compass: Guided Support

This tier offers more personalised, online support to help you with the practical aspects of your case. Examples include:

  • Document Drafting: I will assist you in drafting a clear and factual witness statement, helping you structure your thoughts and incidents chronologically. This ensures the information is presented in a clear and organised manner to the court.

  • Court Forms: I will help you fill out forms like the C100, C79, or FL401 accurately, ensuring your application is not delayed or rejected due to administrative errors.

  • Case Discussions: We can have in-depth online discussions to help you understand your case and prepare for your next steps.

Access: Direct In-Person Support

This tier provides direct, in-depth support for those who require it, including attendance at hearings.

  • In-Court Support: I can sit with you during court hearings to provide moral and emotional support. I will take detailed notes of the judge's comments and the other party's arguments, and I can quietly offer advice on points of procedure or issues you may wish to raise.

  • Meeting Attendance: I can attend local appointments and meetings with you to provide a supportive presence.

  • Hearing Preparation: We will prepare for hearings and meetings by discussing what you intend to say and ensuring you feel as confident as possible.

  • Pay on account option for immediate support by phone.

How I Can Help

As a McKenzie Friend, it is essential to understand the limits of my role. I am not a qualified solicitor or barrister and cannot provide legal advice, tell you what to do, or advise you on the merits of your case. All legal decisions and responsibility remain with you.

I can assist you with the practical aspects of a variety of law matters, below are a few examples:

  • Non-Molestation and Occupation Orders: These are urgent legal processes to protect you or your children from abuse or to regulate who can live in a family home. I can help you draft your application and witness statement and provide crucial support during the stressful without-notice hearing.

  • Child Arrangements Orders: If you are seeking to resolve a specific dispute concerning a child, I can help you with the C100 form and prepare for your CAFCASS interview and subsequent hearings. I can also assist with preparing witness statements and organising your court bundle.

  • C79 Enforcement: If an existing Child Arrangements Order is not being followed, I can help you with the C79 form and assist you in documenting breaches of the order into a clear and factual chronological log.

  • Understanding the Process: When in a family or civil court situation, I can help you understand and navigate the process by offering practical information, support and guidance.

Pricing

We offer a range of specialised services tailored to meet your individual needs.

Foundation

Support by email

Always free

Free email support to answer general points of law non-specific to your case.

Compass

Support online via video call

£75.00 per hour

Online video and phone call support for case discussions, form completion and emotional support.

Pre-bookable in advance.

Access

Support Face to Face

and on demand

£75.00 per hour

plus reasonable expenses

Face to face and support during hearings to take notes, offer emotional support and give quiet information and guidance.
Pay on account option for immediate support by phone and email.

Our Platinum Packages and Services

We have designed a range of packages and services in order to save clients money and stress. Our packages are all inclusive of travel and expenses and give a 33% discounted rate compared to using each service individually. PLUS, for all platinum package users, we give a 33% discount for additional hours used on top of the package.

Respondent
Child Arrangements

Our Respondent Platinum Package gives 11.5 hours support (bolt-on's available for fact finding cases). This gives a 33% discount on our hourly rate compared to services being booked individually.

Package prices include travel and expenses with the exception of evidence bundle completion and supply.

Applicant
Child Arrangements

Our Applicant Platinum Package gives 11.5 hours support (bolt-on's available for fact finding cases). This gives a 33% discount on our hourly rate compared to services being booked individually.

Package prices include travel and expenses with the exception of evidence bundle completion and supply.

Pay Up Front Communication

Our Pay Up Front Communication Support Package now comes with a £10 discount on our regular hourly rate. Paying up front on communication saves time and hassle on booking consultations and sorting invoices out. This gives an instant communication tool for urgent questions or situations.
PLUS, we now offer the option of communicating via voice note, WhatsApp voice note and video saving you money with us not having to spend time writing emails and messages. 

Contact us

Location

22 The Avenue, 
Barnsley, S75 3AQ.

Address

22 The Avenue

Tankersley

Barnsley

S75 3AQ

Contact

07901 745275

info@litigantinpersonsupport.co.uk

Opening Hours

Mon - Fri: 9am - 9pm (evening appts available by request)

Saturday: For urgent enquires

Sunday: Closed