Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Term: Lady's Friend
Definition: Lady's friend was a job in the English House of Commons a long time ago. The person who had this job had to make sure that a woman whose husband was getting a divorce from Parliament had enough money to live on. This job doesn't exist anymore because it was stopped by a law in 1857.
Definition: Lady's friend was an officer in the English House of Commons whose responsibility was to ensure that a wife received a suitable provision when her husband sought a parliamentary divorce. This title was abolished by statute in 1857 along with parliamentary divorces.
Example: If a husband wanted to divorce his wife, the lady's friend would make sure that the wife was not left without any financial support.
Explanation: The lady's friend was a position created to protect the rights of women during a time when divorce was not common and women had limited legal rights. The lady's friend would advocate for the wife and ensure that she was not left destitute after a divorce. This example illustrates how the lady's friend was an important figure in protecting the rights of women during a time when they had little legal protection.