About Deanna Newell

Deanna Newell is a McKenzie Friend and legal advocate specialising in complex family law cases involving coercive control, neurodivergence, and post-separation abuse.

With a background in medical law and mental health, she brings a rare combination of legal expertise, clinical insight, and lived experience to her work. Her practice focuses on:-

Supporting protective parents in high-conflict private law proceedings

Providing evidence-led advocacy in cases involving coercive and controlling behaviour

Advising on family law matters where “parental alienation” is used to deflate or discredit domestic abuse or financial control

Challenging the systemic misuse of “parental alienation” in the context of trauma

Deanna is recognised for:-

Analytical clarity in emotionally charged, high-stakes proceedings
A neurodiversity-informed approach, shaped by her own autism diagnosis
Trauma-aware, survivor-led advocacy grounded in both professional training and lived experience

Deanna regularly prepares:-

Position statements, witness statements, and legal summaries
Chronologies and evidence bundles for applications involving autism, child arrangement orders, specific issue and prohibited steps orders, Schedule 1 claims, and safeguarding applications
Public commentary on family court reform, systemic safeguarding failures, and barriers to education for neurodivergent children

Her work is underpinned by Practice Direction 12J, which defines domestic abuse to include coercive control, emotional, psychological, and economic abuse — and recognises children as victims in their own right.

Deanna’s work is rooted in integrity, transparency, and robust evidential analysis. Her mission is to improve outcomes for children and families failed by adversarial systems — especially where trauma has been minimised, misinterpreted, or ignored.

Evidence-led. Trauma-informed. Neurodiversity-aware.

What is a Mackenzie Friend?

A McKenzie Friend is someone who supports you in family court when you’re representing yourself without a solicitor or barrister (known as a Litigant in Person). This support can be invaluable — emotionally, practically, and strategically.

While not legally qualified, a McKenzie Friend can:-

Help you prepare court documents and evidence
Explain legal procedures and terminology
Offer calm advice and moral support during hearings
Ensure you feel heard and not alone in the courtroom

The right to have a McKenzie Friend in court was established in the landmark case McKenzie v McKenzie [1970]. It’s a vital safeguard — especially for those unable to afford full legal representation.

Who I support

I specialise in supporting:-

Survivors of domestic abuse and coercive control
Parents of neurodivergent children (Autism, ADHD, SPD, PDA, etc.)
Protective parents facing false allegations of “parental alienation”
Parents targeted through financial alienation — where an ex manipulates the system to gain full maintenance while withholding or misrepresenting shared care
Those navigating post-separation control via CMS or family court

I completed McKenzie Friend training in 2024 and begin formal paralegal training in family law in 2025. My practice is rooted in lived experience, compassion, and a clear understanding of how the system can miss the full picture.

That’s why I also advocate for a financial transparency checklist in family court — to help distinguish real cases of alienation from manipulative financial tactics.

Parental Alienation: Misused & Misunderstood

In many high-conflict cases, the term parental alienation is misused — not to protect children, but to discredit protective parents raising valid safeguarding concerns.

I support families where:-

“Alienation” is used to deflect from credible abuse or coercion
The court process is weaponised to intimidate or retraumatise
A child’s trauma or neurodivergence is misinterpreted as manipulation
Contact arrangements ignore the child’s emotional or psychological safety

Children’s voices, needs, and real experiences should guide outcomes — their voices should not be dismissed or distorted.

Financial Alienation & CMS Misuse

Post-separation abuse often continues long after the relationship ends — especially through misuse of the Child Maintenance Service (CMS).

This can look like:-

Falsely denying overnight care to inflate payments
Using contact as leverage for financial gain
Telling the paying parent they “must pay even if they don’t see the children” — a form of coercive control
Intentionally underpaying or refusing CMS to punish the other parent
Withholding financial support unless certain “conditions” are met
Threatening to stop payments to silence or destabilise the other parent

This is financial alienation — a form of coercive control where money is used as a weapon. It’s often overlooked but deeply damaging, especially in times of economic hardship.

How I help

I assist parents in:-

Challenging unfair CMS decisions or underpayments
Gathering and presenting evidence of shared care
Framing financial abuse as part of a wider pattern of coercion
Understanding legal options for appeals, enforcement, and protection

Financial abuse is about power — not just money. No parent or child should be used as leverage.

My approach

Neurodiversity-Informed - Trauma-Aware - Evidence-Led - Compassionate & Clear

Whether you’re preparing statements, facing cross-examination, or feeling completely overwhelmed, I offer practical tools, emotional grounding, and strategic clarity — without jargon or judgment.

Are you ready to talk?

If you’re navigating complex family court proceedings and need someone in your corner — I’m here to help.

Contact Me for a Free Initial Consultation

Learn More About My Services

Deanna Newell — Legal Advocate

Supporting Protective Parents | Challenging Abuse of Process | Empowering Through Clarity

Our Services

Family Court Support

Navigating family court proceedings can be complex and emotionally demanding.

We offer expert guidance and carefully review your bundle of evidence in order to help you understand your rights, the relevant laws, and the best course of action.

We support you in preparing your case and advocate effectively to protect the best interests of you and your family.

Domestic Abuse Advocacy

We provide confidential, compassionate support for survivors of domestic abuse — whether coercive, financial, economic, emotional, or physical.

We listen carefully to your experiences and, whilst ensuring your safety, work diligently to gather and present clear evidence in order to secure the justice that you deserve.

Additional Needs Assistance

Families caring for children or adults with additional needs face unique legal challenges.

We provide tailored advice and advocacy to ensure that additional needs are recognised and properly supported within the family court system, including considerations related to education, health, and care.

Deanna Newell Family Law

Advocacy for truth-tellers, survivors, and the children who deserve better

info@mysite.com

123-456-7890