Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the Summit Legal Solutions FAQ Centre — the most comprehensive legal support FAQ page in the UK.
Whether you’re navigating family law, preparing for a driving offence hearing,
handling debt letters, or considering a police complaint,
you’ll find clear, practical answers here — with links to trusted external sources such as
GOV.UK,
Citizens Advice,
and the IOPC.
⚖️ Disclaimer: Summit Legal Solutions provides legal support and McKenzie Friend services.
We are not solicitors and do not provide regulated legal advice.
Our team are currently completing Bachelor of Laws (LLB) studies.
General Questions
What is Summit Legal Solutions?Summit Legal Solutions is a UK-based organisation providing affordable legal support and
McKenzie Friend assistance for individuals
representing themselves in court or dealing with legal matters without a solicitor.
We guide you through processes such as family disputes, motoring offences, debt actions, and police complaints
with professional, plain-English support.
McKenzie Friend assistance for individuals
representing themselves in court or dealing with legal matters without a solicitor.
We guide you through processes such as family disputes, motoring offences, debt actions, and police complaints
with professional, plain-English support.
Are you solicitors or a law firm?No. Summit Legal Solutions is not a regulated law firm and does not offer reserved legal activities.
We operate as trained legal-support professionals and McKenzie Friends, providing procedural guidance,
document preparation, and courtroom assistance for self-represented individuals.
For regulated advice or representation, you can visit
The Law Society’s Find a Solicitor tool.
We operate as trained legal-support professionals and McKenzie Friends, providing procedural guidance,
document preparation, and courtroom assistance for self-represented individuals.
For regulated advice or representation, you can visit
The Law Society’s Find a Solicitor tool.
What is a McKenzie Friend?A McKenzie Friend is a person who assists someone representing themselves in court (known as a litigant in person).
They may take notes, quietly advise, and help you organise documents — but they do not speak to the judge unless permitted.
Read the official guidance from the
Judiciary of England and Wales.
They may take notes, quietly advise, and help you organise documents — but they do not speak to the judge unless permitted.
Read the official guidance from the
Judiciary of England and Wales.
Do you provide free consultations?Yes — Summit Legal Solutions offers a free 15-minute consultation to understand your situation,
discuss next steps, and confirm whether we can help. We’ll provide an honest overview and outline a fixed-fee plan if suitable.
discuss next steps, and confirm whether we can help. We’ll provide an honest overview and outline a fixed-fee plan if suitable.
How do you keep my data secure?We comply fully with the UK GDPR
and the Data Protection Act 2018. Your personal data is encrypted, stored securely, and never sold to third parties.
See our Privacy Policy for full details.
and the Data Protection Act 2018. Your personal data is encrypted, stored securely, and never sold to third parties.
See our Privacy Policy for full details.
Family Law & Child Arrangements
How can a McKenzie Friend help in family court? We help you prepare statements, organise evidence, and stay composed during hearings.
As McKenzie Friends, we do not address the judge directly but provide structure and confidence so you can present clearly.
See our Family Law Support page for more information.
As McKenzie Friends, we do not address the judge directly but provide structure and confidence so you can present clearly.
See our Family Law Support page for more information.
Where can I find official family court forms? Family court forms are available free on the
HMCTS website.
You can complete them online or print them for submission.
HMCTS website.
You can complete them online or print them for submission.
How do I apply for a Child Arrangements Order?You can apply via GOV.UK.
Before doing so, consider mediation — many courts expect you to attempt a
Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting (MIAM).
Our Child Arrangements Template can help you prepare your statement.
Before doing so, consider mediation — many courts expect you to attempt a
Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting (MIAM).
Our Child Arrangements Template can help you prepare your statement.
What should I include in a position statement?Focus on facts, timelines, and what’s in the child’s best interests.
Avoid emotional language. Include reference numbers and specific requests you want the court to consider.
Our template and statement drafting service
provide structured examples.
Avoid emotional language. Include reference numbers and specific requests you want the court to consider.
Our template and statement drafting service
provide structured examples.
Driving Offences & Motoring Law
What happens if I receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution? You must respond within 28 days, confirming who was driving. Failing to respond can result in prosecution under
Section 172 of the Road Traffic Act.
See GOV.UK – Speeding Penalties for full guidance.
Section 172 of the Road Traffic Act.
See GOV.UK – Speeding Penalties for full guidance.
Can I avoid disqualification under totting-up rules? Possibly, if you can demonstrate “exceptional hardship.”
Our Exceptional Hardship Evidence Guide and
Totting-Up Support Service explain how to prepare your case effectively.
Our Exceptional Hardship Evidence Guide and
Totting-Up Support Service explain how to prepare your case effectively.
Where can I get help with mitigation letters? You can use our Mitigation Letter Template or seek personalised help
through our Driving Offence Services.
For independent information, see the
AA Legal Advice Hub.
through our Driving Offence Services.
For independent information, see the
AA Legal Advice Hub.
Police Complaints & Misconduct
How do I make a complaint against the police? Start by visiting IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct).
You can also complain directly to the force involved (see GOV.UK).
Our Guide to Police Complaints walks you through the process step by step.
You can also complain directly to the force involved (see GOV.UK).
Our Guide to Police Complaints walks you through the process step by step.
How long does a police complaint take? It varies depending on complexity. Local resolutions may take a few weeks; IOPC investigations can take months.
See our IOPC Timeline Guide for details.
See our IOPC Timeline Guide for details.
What evidence should I include in a complaint? Include dates, times, officer names or collar numbers, witness details, and any correspondence or recordings.
Keep the tone factual. If you need help structuring your document, use our
Complaint Drafting Service.
Keep the tone factual. If you need help structuring your document, use our
Complaint Drafting Service.
Debt, CCJ & Civil Claims
What should I do if I receive a County Court Claim Form? Don’t ignore it. You usually have 14 days to respond.
Guidance and forms are available from GOV.UK – Money Claims.
You can also read our Defending a Small Claim guide or
contact National Debtline for free independent advice.
Guidance and forms are available from GOV.UK – Money Claims.
You can also read our Defending a Small Claim guide or
contact National Debtline for free independent advice.
Can I set aside a CCJ? Yes, in certain circumstances — for example, if you never received the claim or have a valid defence.
You’ll need to complete form N244 (Application Notice).
See our CCJ Set-Aside Steps Guide for a full breakdown.
You’ll need to complete form N244 (Application Notice).
See our CCJ Set-Aside Steps Guide for a full breakdown.
What rights do I have when dealing with enforcement agents? Enforcement agents (bailiffs) must follow strict rules. They cannot enter your home without consent for most debts and must provide written notice.
Learn more from GOV.UK – Your Rights with Bailiffs or
our Enforcement Rights Guide.
Learn more from GOV.UK – Your Rights with Bailiffs or
our Enforcement Rights Guide.
Court Procedure & Self-Representation
Can I represent myself in court? Yes. In England and Wales, you are legally entitled to represent yourself in court — known as acting as a litigant in person.
See GOV.UK – Represent Yourself in Court.
A McKenzie Friend can accompany you for procedural guidance.
See GOV.UK – Represent Yourself in Court.
A McKenzie Friend can accompany you for procedural guidance.
What should I wear to court? Dress smartly and respectfully, similar to office attire. Avoid jeans, trainers, or casual clothing.
The aim is to show respect for the court — it can influence perception of credibility and seriousness.
The aim is to show respect for the court — it can influence perception of credibility and seriousness.
What should I bring on the day of my hearing? Bring all key documents in order: your statement, evidence bundle, identification, and copies for the other parties.
Our Court Day Guide includes a printable checklist.
Our Court Day Guide includes a printable checklist.
Can I record a hearing? No. Recording court proceedings without permission is a criminal offence under Section 9 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981.
For an official transcript, see GOV.UK – Get a Transcript.
For an official transcript, see GOV.UK – Get a Transcript.
Data Protection, Privacy & ICO
How can I access my personal data? You can make a Subject Access Request (SAR) to any organisation that holds your data.
See the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for templates and guidance.
Summit Legal Solutions responds to all data requests within one calendar month.
See the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for templates and guidance.
Summit Legal Solutions responds to all data requests within one calendar month.
How does Summit Legal Solutions protect my information? We use encryption, password-protected systems, and secure hosting located in the UK.
Data is never shared without consent and is retained only as long as necessary.
For more details, read our Privacy Policy.
Data is never shared without consent and is retained only as long as necessary.
For more details, read our Privacy Policy.
Who regulates data protection in the UK? The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) oversees compliance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
If you have a concern, you can raise it directly via the ICO’s Make a Complaint page.
If you have a concern, you can raise it directly via the ICO’s Make a Complaint page.
Contact & Further Help
How can I contact Summit Legal Solutions? You can call us on 023 9355 2182, email
info@summitlegalsolutions.co.uk,
or use our contact form. We respond to all enquiries within one working day.
info@summitlegalsolutions.co.uk,
or use our contact form. We respond to all enquiries within one working day.
Where can I find free legal advice in the UK? In addition to Summit Legal Solutions, the following organisations provide free legal information or guidance:
- Citizens Advice – general legal and consumer issues.
- LawWorks – free legal help clinics.
- Support Through Court – help for people without representation.
- GOV.UK – Legal Aid Checker
If you need help preparing documentation or understanding a process, our
legal support services may complement these free resources.