Please read before using our services or relying on information on this website.
Last updated: May 2025
The information, guidance and support provided by The Separation Companion is based on lived experience of the separation and divorce process, general knowledge of family court procedures and practical support skills. It is intended to complement, not replace, professional legal advice.
We are transparent about the limits of our role throughout our services. Where a question or situation requires legal advice, we will always say so and encourage clients to seek independent legal counsel.
Katherine Waterhouse acts as a McKenzie Friend, which is a recognised and lawful role in the family courts of England and Wales. A McKenzie Friend may attend court hearings, take notes, quietly advise and provide moral support. A McKenzie Friend may not, unless the court grants specific permission, address the court or act as a formal legal representative.
The Separation Companion's McKenzie Friend services are provided in accordance with the Practice Guidance on McKenzie Friends issued by the Lord Chief Justice and the President of the Family Division.
The articles, guides and resources on this website are provided for general information only. They reflect the law and practice of England and Wales as understood at the time of writing and may not reflect subsequent changes. They should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal advice in relation to your specific circumstances.
We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of information on this website, but we cannot guarantee that it is complete, current or free from error.
We cannot guarantee any particular outcome from our services or from family court proceedings. The outcome of legal proceedings depends on many factors outside our control. Our role is to help you feel prepared, informed and supported, not to influence or predict the decisions of courts, mediators or other parties.
This website may contain links to external websites, including GOV.UK and other third-party resources. We are not responsible for the content or accuracy of external websites and inclusion of a link does not constitute an endorsement.
The Separation Companion does not carry out regulated legal activities as defined by the Legal Services Act 2007. We do not conduct litigation, provide reserved legal services or act as a legal representative in proceedings.
If you have any questions about the nature of our services or the limits of what we can offer, please contact us at kw@theseparationcompanion.co.uk before booking.
The Separation Companion is not a law firm. Katherine Waterhouse is not a solicitor, barrister or legally qualified professional. Nothing on this website or provided in the course of our services constitutes legal advice. If you need legal advice, you should consult a qualified solicitor.