SME Today talks to Gergely Fried, founder of Everyman Justice, about building an ethical support business in the family court space, working with clear boundaries, and the lessons he’s taking into 2026.

Q: Gergely, how did your journey into this line of work begin?

Most people don’t plan to build a business around family court they arrive there because life leaves them no choice. Before founding Everyman Justice, I was active in online community groups, particularly helping Hungarian nationals living in the UK navigate official systems, paperwork, and procedures. Many people felt overwhelmed by forms, unfamiliar processes, and language barriers, and I found myself naturally stepping into a support role explaining what documents were for, where to submit them, and how different systems fitted together.

Things became much more personal when I went through my own high-conflict family court experience involving child arrangements proceedings. Experiencing the system first-hand showed me just how overwhelming it can be for parents, particularly those without legal representation, confidence in English, or emotional support. The combination of unfamiliar procedures, high stakes, and intense emotions can be paralysing. As I learned how the family court system worked in practice, I began helping more people informally, and over time that support became more structured and intentional.

Q: How did that informal support evolve into Everyman Justice?

Helping others also helped me make sense of my own experience. I saw how calm, practical guidance could genuinely change outcomes sometimes helping families reconnect, other times helping people reach workable parenting arrangements and move forward with clarity rather than ongoing conflict.

My background as a teacher, sales professional, and coach made that transition natural. Teaching develops the ability to explain complex ideas clearly. Coaching builds skills around listening, boundaries, and emotional regulation. Business experience adds structure, organisation, and accountability. Everyman Justice grew out of that combination of lived experience and practical skill-building, rather than from a desire to create a traditional legal service.

In 2024–2025, that informal support became more focused and structured, leading to the formal launch of Everyman Justice. Since then, I’ve supported parents across England and Wales, primarily in child arrangements matters, where people are navigating proceedings without legal representation and are often unsure how to present themselves clearly and constructively to the court.

Q: How would you describe Everyman Justice today?

The name and the tagline capture it well: “Everyman Justice – Support for Everyone in the Family Court.” Many people simply cannot afford solicitors, or they struggle with language barriers, mental health pressures, or the emotional intensity of court proceedings. Others may

be capable professionals in their own lives but feel completely lost when faced with court paperwork, hearings, and unfamiliar terminology.

McKenzie Friends are not a regulated legal profession, so I’m always clear that I’m not a solicitor and I don’t provide legal advice. McKenzie Friends may provide procedural guidance, support with document preparation, and in-court assistance where permitted. My role is practical and procedural support helping people understand what’s happening, prepare properly, organise their materials, and stay focused during what is often the most difficult period of their lives.

Q: Who do you mainly support through your work?

I primarily work with self-represented parents involved in child arrangements cases, particularly where conflict is high or communication has broken down. Many of the people I support feel excluded by the system or unsure how to make themselves heard in a way that the court finds helpful.

Family court isn’t about proving who is “right” it’s about demonstrating stability, insight, and child-focused thinking over time. Helping parents make that mindset shift can meaningfully change how cases progress and how professionals engage with them.

Q: What values guide how you work with clients?

Strong boundaries are essential in this role. I don’t extend acrimony for financial gain, and I won’t support anyone who wants to use the process or me as a weapon against their former partner. Escalation may feel satisfying in the short term, but it rarely helps children or parents in the long run.

I don’t see myself as representing adults in conflict. I see my responsibility as being aligned with the wellbeing of the children involved. If someone has made mistakes but is willing to acknowledge them and take responsibility, I don’t judge. I help them move forward constructively. That approach often reduces conflict rather than amplifying it, which ultimately benefits everyone involved.

Q: What advice would you give to parents entering the family court system?

Preparation matters far more than confrontation. Family court isn’t about “winning” it’s about demonstrating reliability, responsibility, and child-focused thinking over time. Staying calm, organised, and honest usually leads to better outcomes than trying to fight every point.

Parents often underestimate how emotionally demanding the process can be. Having practical support even outside of formal legal advice can make a significant difference to how people cope and how clearly they present their case.

Q: Looking ahead, what does success mean to you as a founder?

Growth for me isn’t just about numbers or revenue. I’d like to see steady, ethical expansion potentially training and collaborating with like-minded people to build a wider support

network across the UK. The demand for clear, practical guidance is only increasing as more people represent themselves in court.

Technology and AI have an important role to play in reducing cost and complexity, but the heart of this work will always be human. People need clarity, structure, and reassurance as much as they need tools.

Real success is measured in children maintaining safe relationships, parents avoiding despair, and people leaving the system stronger rather than broken.

Find out more about Everyman Justice at: https://everymanjustice.co.uk/

About Gergely Fried

Gergely Fried is the founder of Everyman Justice, a UK-based family court support service. He works as a McKenzie Friend, supporting self-represented parents navigating child arrangements and family court procedures in England and Wales. With a background in education, coaching, and business, Gergely brings a structured and practical approach to supporting parents under pressure. He has particular experience supporting parents from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Gergely is not a solicitor and does not provide legal advice.