How we talk about divorce law discriminates against women
The way that we use language has a huge impact on how we see the world and this is most true in a legal context. A defendant in a criminal trial who is described as having a 'checkered past' feels different to one who is 'trying to turn their life around' even though the two phrases could describe the same person.
That same principle applies to family law; another area where lives can be dramatically altered in the courtroom. The recent case of Mills v Mills made headlines for supposedly putting an end to the so-called 'meal ticket for life', a term used to describe long-term payouts to former spouses. Does that really tell the whole story?
The simple answer is no and in this week's episode of the podcast I explain the real basis for the judgment and its true effect on divorce law. Beyond that we also consider how using terms like 'meal ticket for life' tend to demonise women who are more commonly in the less financially secure position following marital breakdown.
Episode link: http://uklawweekly.com/2018-uksc-38/
Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/uk-law-weekly/id1137316725?mt=2