Areas Toolkit Pricing Guides About FAQ Book Scoping Call

EqualJustice

Because justice should be equal.

McKenzie Friend support from a qualified, non-practising solicitor.

All the knowledge. None of the fees.

Because justice should be equally accessible to all — not just those who can afford it. Professional court preparation, documents, and hearing attendance across England & Wales — family, civil, landlord & tenant, personal injury, and employment tribunal.

Professionally Indemnity Insured
Flexible Fixed Fees — Agreed Upfront
End-to-End Encrypted & Confidential
Qualified Solicitor (Non-Practising)

Start with a free 10-minute scoping call

Tell us about your situation before the call — by voice note, WhatsApp, email, or our form. We review your details, assess whether we can help, and explain exactly what it would cost. No legal advice given. No obligation. All communications are end-to-end encrypted and strictly confidential.

Four ways to get in touch

Choose what feels most comfortable. We review all enquiries before the scoping call so we can make the most of your 10 minutes.

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Book Instantly

Pick a time via our online calendar. Automatic confirmation and reminder sent. Answer a few brief questions when booking so we can prepare.

Fastest
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Send a Voice Note

Record up to 90 seconds. Encrypted and completely confidential — we receive it immediately and review it before calling you back.

Recommended
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WhatsApp

Message or send a WhatsApp voice note. End-to-end encrypted — ideal if you need to be discreet. We respond within a few hours.

Most Discreet
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Email First

Email eugene.pienaar@proton.me — end-to-end encrypted via ProtonMail. We respond within one working day to arrange your call.

End-to-End Encrypted

Areas of Practice

We support litigants in person across six key areas. Every instruction begins with a free 10-minute scoping call — we assess your situation and tell you honestly whether and how we can help.

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Family Court

40% of private law family cases involve no legal representation — the largest area of unmet need.

Child Arrangements

C100 applications, residence and contact disputes, enforcement, variation of orders, CAFCASS dealings.

Financial Remedy

Financial settlements on divorce — Form A, asset disclosure, Form E preparation, hearing support.

Domestic Abuse Orders

Non-molestation and occupation order applications and defences. Injunctions, undertakings, breach proceedings.

Divorce & Separation

Navigating the no-fault divorce process, responding to petitions, understanding procedure and timelines.

Specific Issue & Prohibited Steps

Applications over schooling, relocation, medical treatment, and other specific child matters.

Appeals & Variations

Appealing family court orders and applying to vary or discharge existing orders as circumstances change.

Confidentiality: Family proceedings involving children are heard in private. All case information is strictly confidential and all communications are end-to-end encrypted. Written notice of our attendance must be given to the court and all parties in advance.
Every family case is assessed individually at the scoping call. We will tell you at the outset whether the matter falls within our current scope.
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Landlord & Tenant

One of the fastest-growing areas of civil litigation — both landlords and tenants frequently appear without representation.

Possession Defence

Defending Section 21 and Section 8 claims — notice validity, procedural defects, disrepair counterclaims.

Disrepair Claims

Claims against landlords for failure to repair — evidence, schedule of disrepair, witness statements.

Deposit Disputes

Tenancy deposit claims and defences — preparing evidence, challenging deductions, hearing support.

Unlawful Eviction

Emergency injunction applications and damages claims for unlawful eviction or harassment.

Rent Arrears Defence

Defending rent arrears claims — challenging amounts, payment plans, defence documents.

Service Charge Disputes

Challenging unreasonable service charges — First-tier Tribunal applications, leaseholder rights.

Every landlord and tenant case is assessed at the scoping call. We will confirm at the outset whether we can assist.
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Personal Injury

Accident and injury claims where you are pursuing or defending compensation without a solicitor.

Road Traffic Accidents

Pre-action protocol compliance, letter of claim, schedule of loss, witness statements, hearing prep.

Accidents at Work

Employer liability claims — evidence gathering, protocol compliance, medical evidence organisation.

Slips, Trips & Falls

Occupiers' liability — establishing liability, preparing evidence, schedule of loss, documents.

Document & Hearing Support

General procedural support at all stages — preparation, bundles, and hearing attendance.

Costs: In fast track personal injury cases, recoverable costs are fixed. Our fixed-fee approach means you always know your outgoings.
Personal injury claims assessed individually at scoping. We will confirm at the outset whether your specific claim falls within our scope.
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Property & Neighbour Disputes

Highly emotive disputes where solicitor costs often exceed the value at stake.

Boundary Disputes

Evidence gathering, Land Registry documents, expert liaison, witness statements, hearing preparation.

Nuisance & Harassment

Private nuisance claims — noise, interference. Injunction applications and damages claims.

Rights of Way & Easements

Disputed access rights and easements — document preparation and hearing support.

Party Wall Disputes

Party wall agreements, surveyor awards, and disputes from works to shared or boundary walls.

Property disputes assessed at the scoping call. We will confirm at the outset whether the matter is within our current scope.
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Contract & Consumer Disputes

Disputes where the value is too high for small claims but too low to justify full solicitor costs.

Builder & Contractor Disputes

Claims and defences involving defective work, incomplete contracts, overcharging, negligence.

Professional Negligence

Claims against professionals for negligent advice or services causing financial loss.

Breach of Contract

Commercial and consumer disputes — particulars of claim, defence, counterclaim, hearing support.

Consumer Rights Claims

Defective goods and services above the small claims limit — fast track procedure, protocol compliance.

Contract and consumer cases assessed individually at scoping. We will confirm at the outset whether we can assist.
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Employment Tribunal

No costs regime — most claimants and respondents appear without solicitors. Preparation is everything.

Unfair Dismissal

ET1/ET3 preparation, schedule of loss, witness statements, bundle organisation, hearing preparation.

Discrimination Claims

Age, sex, race, disability, and other discrimination — documents, chronology, witness statements.

Wrongful Dismissal

Breach of contract — notice pay, unpaid wages, restrictive covenants, settlement correspondence.

Whistleblowing & Detriment

Protected disclosure claims — document preparation, chronology, case strategy, hearing support.

Note: Employment tribunals generally do not award costs against the losing party — making them more accessible for unrepresented parties.
Every employment case is assessed at the scoping call. We will confirm at the outset whether the matter is within our current scope.

Simple. Transparent. Effective.

1
Free · 10 mins · No advice

Scoping Call

Send us your details first — by voice note, WhatsApp or email. We review them, then call you. Honest assessment, no charge, no obligation.

2
Fixed fee · Agreed upfront

Fee Agreed

We scope exactly what you need and agree a fixed fee before any work begins. You know precisely what you are paying — always.

3
Documents · Strategy · Prep

Preparation

We prepare your documents, arguments, and hearing strategy. You walk into court feeling ready and confident, not overwhelmed.

4
Court · Quiet advice · Support

Court Support

We sit beside you, advise quietly, and help you present your case — so you are never alone when it matters most.

The Same Documents a Barrister Would Use

Professionally prepared, clearly structured, and tailored to your specific case — at a fraction of solicitor cost.

Skeleton Argument

Structured legal argument setting out your position, relevant law, and key points for the judge.

Position Statement

Concise document stating your current position for the court — essential for most hearings.

Witness Statement

Professionally drafted, clearly structured, factually precise, and court-ready witness statement.

Hearing Script / Oral Guide

Plain-English guide of what to say and when — so you speak clearly and confidently on the day.

Chronology of Events

Clear timeline of key events, helping the judge understand your case quickly and accurately.

Case Strategy Review

Written analysis: key strengths, weaknesses, risks, and recommended approach for your case.

Letter Before Action

Professional pre-action letter compliant with the relevant protocol — putting the other side on notice.

Bundle Organisation

Help organising documents into a proper court bundle — correct format, order, and index.

See Pricing

No Hourly Rates. No Surprises.

Every fee is fixed and agreed before any work begins — scoped to your specific case at the scoping call. The fees below are indicative starting points. Complex matters are priced individually — always at a fixed fee, always agreed before we start.

Eugene Pienaar is a qualified solicitor (non-practising). EqualJustice is a McKenzie Friend service — not a regulated law firm. That distinction keeps costs low. The legal knowledge remains the same.

Document Services

Fixed fee per document — scoped to your case

Scoping CallNo charge
Case Review & StrategyFrom £150
Letter Before ActionFrom £95
Position StatementFrom £125
Witness StatementFrom £175
Skeleton ArgumentFrom £245
Hearing Script / Oral GuideFrom £175
Bundle OrganisationFrom £95
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Flexible Fixed Fees — Scoped to Your Case

No two cases are the same. Every instruction begins with a free 10-minute scoping call at which we assess your needs and agree a fixed fee for each step required. No hourly rates. No unexpected bills. Monthly support has no lock-in — cancel any month.

Solicitors in England & Wales typically charge £200–£350 per hour plus VAT. EqualJustice fixed fees represent a significant saving — with no compromise on legal knowledge.

I've been where you are.
I know exactly how it feels.

My name is Eugene Pienaar. I am a qualified Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales with over twenty years of legal experience. I understand how the legal system works — how arguments are constructed, how courts think, and how to navigate proceedings that most people find overwhelming.

But I also understand something most legal professionals do not: what it truly feels like to face that system alone.

"I have spent two years defending a £40 million High Court claim — alone, against silk and solicitors — while other respondents with legal representation stood still. I made a simple decision: nobody was going to fight this harder or better than me. Farrer & Co on one side — unlimited resources, silk, a full litigation team. Me on the other. No budget. Just my legal knowledge, twenty years of experience, absolute determination, and a fight for truth and justice. I filed the comprehensive strike-out application the other respondents' lawyers never did. That experience taught me more about what litigants in person truly face than twenty years of practice ever could. Sometimes you are your own best lawyer."

The case took an enormous personal toll. At its worst, it cost me my health and my business. I know what it is to be overwhelmed, exhausted, and outgunned by a system that was not built for people without representation.

I came through it. And that experience — painful as it was — gave me something no law degree ever could: a genuine, lived understanding of what you are going through. The anxiety before a hearing. The confusion of the paperwork. The feeling that the other side has every advantage and you have none.

EqualJustice exists because I refuse to accept that justice should only be available to those who can afford it. Every person who walks into a courtroom deserves to be properly prepared, clearly heard, and supported by someone who truly understands what is at stake.

That is what I offer — not just legal knowledge, but the experience of someone who has stood where you are standing, and found a way through.

A note on how EqualJustice works: Eugene Pienaar is a qualified solicitor (non-practising). EqualJustice is a McKenzie Friend service — not a regulated law firm. That distinction keeps costs low. The legal knowledge remains the same.
Qualifications & background
Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England & WalesAdmitted 2002 — over 20 years' legal experience
MBA with Distinction — Oxford Brookes UniversityCommercial, business & analytical expertise, 2003
LLB — University of Natal, South AfricaPrize-winner in Evidence, 1995
UK High Court litigation experienceMulti-jurisdictional, complex commercial proceedings
What sets EqualJustice apart
2+ years as a litigant in person in the High CourtDefending a £40m claim against top-tier City representation
I understand both sides of the courtroomAs qualified solicitor and as a self-representing party
Empathy backed by expertiseLived experience of what you face — not just theory
Professionally indemnity insuredYour protection, always
Flexible fixed fees — agreed before we startNo surprises, no hourly billing, no lock-in

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens on the free scoping call? +
The scoping call lasts around 10 minutes. Before the call, we ask you to send us some basic details — by voice note, WhatsApp, email, or our intake form. We review these first so we can make the most of your time. We listen, ask a few questions, and tell you honestly whether and how we can help. No legal advice is given at this stage. No obligation, no charge.
Why do you ask for information before the call? +
So we can make your 10 minutes as useful as possible. If we know the basics of your case before we speak — what court, what stage, what the dispute is about — we can assess your situation properly. A voice note or a few lines by email is all we need.
What is a McKenzie Friend? +
A McKenzie Friend is a person who assists a litigant in person in court. They can sit beside you, take notes, help organise documents, and quietly offer advice. The right comes from the 1970 case McKenzie v McKenzie. The presumption under the Practice Direction is strongly in favour of allowing a McKenzie Friend to attend — it is rare for a court to refuse.
Is EqualJustice a law firm? +
No. EqualJustice is a McKenzie Friend service operated by Eugene Pienaar, a qualified solicitor (non-practising). EqualJustice is not a regulated law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice. This is what keeps costs low — the legal knowledge and experience behind the service remains the same. For regulated legal advice, consult a practising solicitor.
How do your fees work? +
Every fee is fixed and agreed before any work begins — scoped to your specific case at the scoping call. No hourly rates, no open-ended bills, no surprises. Complex matters are priced individually — still fixed, still agreed upfront. Monthly support has no lock-in — cancel any month.
Can a McKenzie Friend speak in court? +
In most courts, a McKenzie Friend advises you quietly rather than speaking directly to the court. However, in small claims hearings we can act as a lay representative and speak on your behalf, provided you are also present. In other courts, a judge may grant rights of audience in exceptional circumstances. We will advise you on the best approach for your specific hearing.
What if my case is outside your scope? +
We will tell you at the scoping call — honestly and immediately. We will always try to point you in the right direction. We would rather be upfront at the outset than take on a case we cannot serve well. There is no charge for the scoping call regardless of outcome.
Is EqualJustice insured? +
Yes. EqualJustice holds Professional Indemnity Insurance. Many McKenzie Friends operate without insurance, leaving clients unprotected if something goes wrong. We consider PI insurance a basic requirement of operating professionally.
What makes EqualJustice different? +
Most McKenzie Friends have either a legal background or personal court experience — rarely both. Eugene Pienaar is a qualified solicitor (non-practising) with over twenty years' experience who has also spent two years as a litigant in person defending a £40 million High Court claim against one of London's most prestigious law firms. That combination of professional expertise and lived personal experience is unique. He knows what you are facing, because he has faced it himself.
Free Guide

Your First Family Court Hearing — What to Expect and How to Prepare

A plain-English guide written by a qualified non-practising solicitor who has been a litigant in person himself. 30 pages, 8 chapters, example scripts, and a full pre-hearing checklist. Free — no account required.

Download Free PDF All Guides

What's inside

Before the hearing — the MIAM, CAFCASS & Form FM5
What the court looks like and who will be there
The FHDRA explained step by step
What to say — with example scripts
Your McKenzie Friend — rights and limits
Full pre-hearing checklist
30 pages · 8 chapters · England & Wales · Updated 2025

Ready to level the playing field?

Send us your details before the call — by voice note, WhatsApp, email, or the form below. We will review them and call you back within one working day. No legal advice given until a fixed fee is agreed. No obligation. All communications are end-to-end encrypted and strictly confidential.

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Book a Call

Pick a time that suits you. Calendly will ask a few brief questions when you book — answer them so we can prepare before we speak.

Book Instantly
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WhatsApp

Message or send a WhatsApp voice note. End-to-end encrypted — ideal if you need to be discreet. We respond within a few hours during business hours.

WhatsApp Us
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Email First

Email eugene.pienaar@proton.me — ProtonMail is end-to-end encrypted, so your message is secure from the moment you send it. We respond within one working day.

Send an Email
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Why a voice note works so well

When you are dealing with a stressful legal situation, speaking is often easier than writing. A short voice note — just 60 to 90 seconds — tells us what we need to know. We receive it immediately, review it before your call, and come prepared. Voice notes sent via Speakpipe and WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted — your information is secure from the moment you send it.

Or complete the form and we will arrange everything

Send us your details

Complete the form below and we will be in touch within one working day to arrange your free scoping call. The more detail you provide, the better prepared we will be.

Please note: Submitting this form does not constitute a legal instruction and no advice will be given until a scoping call has taken place and a fixed fee agreed. All information is treated as strictly confidential. Email correspondence is end-to-end encrypted.