Legal Definitions - lady's friend

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.