Litigation friends

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Ask the court to appoint a litigation friend

You or anyone involved can apply to the court to get a litigation friend appointed at any time during the case.

How to apply

Download and fill in the relevant form to apply in the:

• civil courts
• family courts
• Court of Protection

You’ll need to provide evidence that the person you want the court to appoint:

• agrees to be the litigation friend
• is suitable and willing
• is able to carry out the duties

Deliver in person (‘serve’) a completed copy of the relevant form to the:

• parent, guardian or carer if you’re applying to get a litigation friend appointed for a child
• deputy, attorney with a lasting power of attorney or enduring power of attorney, or carer if you’re applying to get a litigation friend appointed for an adult
• the adult you’re applying to get a litigation friend appointed for

Certificate of service

When you’ve served the certificate of suitability, download and fill in the relevant certificate of service for a:

• civil case
• family case
• Court of Protection case depending on whether you’re serving the other person or someone else

Deliver or send the certificate of suitability and certificate of service to the court at the same time.

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