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A derogatory prefix does not make it so

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I don’t think that the phenomenon I am going to discuss in this post is anything new, but it is certainly something that is much more common nowadays thanks, in particular, to the delights of social media. And when the ‘leader of the free world’ indulges in it, it is only going to become even more commonplace.

The phenomenon I am referring to is extremely lazy, but can be very effective, particularly when directed towards a receptive audience. It does away with such inconveniences as a reasoned argument, and instantly gets susceptible readers on-side. It is the technique of adding a derogatory prefix to mention of one’s enemies, or targets.

Let us return to the President of the United States to explain. Now, you may think that as he beat her in the race to the White House, Mr Trump may no longer feel the need to denigrate Hillary Clinton. However, for reasons best known to him, he does still feel that need, particularly when using his favourite medium of Twitter. Thus, when he refers to ‘Hillary’ he invariably prefixes that name with the word ‘crooked’. It is therefore ‘crooked Hillary’, in all Twitter references to her. The term is not explained – it does not need to be – it is as if it is a given. And the constant repeating of the message drums it in.

Unfortunately, we are seeing this phenomenon increasingly arising in the debate surrounding the family justice system, in particular its fitness for purpose and what reforms are needed. I’ll give two examples.

The first example is one I’ve given here before: the addition of the prefix ‘corrupt’ to all uses of the term ‘family courts’. Thus we have those who find it necessary, or irresistible, to always refer to the ‘corrupt family courts’, as if that is an unarguable given. Of course it is not, but there are many gullible people who will read this nonsense and believe it is. In fact the use of the word ‘corrupt’ in relation to the family courts is actually quite absurd – an example of hyperbole, or deliberate exaggeration used for effect. The family courts are no more corrupt than any other state body working for the general good, such as the National Health Service.

The second example of this phenomenon appearing in connection with the family justice system (and, indeed, with the justice system generally) is the addition of the prefix ‘out of touch’ to all uses of the word ‘judge’ or ‘judges’. Thus we are regularly hearing of ‘out of touch judges’, as if it is axiomatic that all judges are closeted away from the realities of life for the rest of the population, unaware of what things are really like for ‘ordinary’ people, or of the views of such people. In fact, most judges are probably more aware of such things than the average ‘man in the street’, being more informed about the ‘realities of life’, through their own knowledge and experience. Yes, there may still be some judges who fit into this hackneyed stereotype, but they are few and far between. To paint the entire judiciary as being ‘out of touch’ is at best extremely lazy, and at worst a deliberate act of dishonesty, aimed once again at deceiving the gullible.

And that is the real issue here. As I am sure the current President of the United States fully understands, no informed or discerning person is going to be deceived by the use of these derogatory prefixes. However, such people are not the targets. The real targets are those who are not informed, and who are prepared to accept what they hear or read at face value, at least from sources they trust. In this way it is easy to gather supporters to your cause, without the tiresome necessity of having to put forward a reasoned argument.

In the realm of family law this means that those who seek to destroy the system have an unfair advantage, adding to their numbers and making it more difficult for the powers that be to ignore them. For this reason we must challenge the use of cheap tricks like derogatory prefixes whenever we can, rather than giving them a free ride.

A derogatory prefix does not make it so.

The blog team at Stowe is a group of writers based across our family law offices who share their advice on the wellbeing and emotional aspects of divorce or separation from personal experience. As well as pieces from our family law solicitors, guest contributors also regularly contribute to share their knowledge.

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Comments(2)

  1. rum says:

    Good post. Unfortunately in human nature, people want a voice. When you are so up against it, you try and make an impact. I am not saying it is right, or it is wrong. All i can say is that the family justice system fails. A court should not have to rely on social services or caffcass nyas. Because the reality is, they lie. Even with out right evidence, that infuriates those struggling for justice, they carry on, and most courts to rely on this third party. Ok, some will say they are there to help. But in all fairness my whole trials were based around these intermediaries giving evidence. Lie after lie after lie. I was lucky enough that the other side, hung himself and justice was done. Not everybody is that fortunate. Too much weight is given to third parties and expert evidence should be dwindled out. FULL STOP. will anybody listen to my experience ? never . will it change ? never. So people less fortunate than i was, will get injustice. Not always, but most of the time. Now full and frank disclosure. All i am going to say is, they can. They do. Is anything done about it , no. Do i read these posts and literature stating that you apply for non compliance ? yes. was anything done? no. Do you then go into the final hearing, without the tools that you need ? yes. Will he walk and get out of his obligations ? i believe so.Who will get cost ? you . Because even with evidence, everybody is scared to do anything . So to close this post, i would like to say FULL AND FRANK DISCLOSURE? Men are far to wise to this , and they know that family proceedings and money, are not that important in the big scale of things. So he hides thousands and thousands of assets, and your applications with evidence are refused. Because . Because the process is flawed. Not corrupt judges. But a flawed process that might as well be called ‘full and frank disclosure’ if the man gets scared, or he has the bottle to run with it all the way, and bluff it out. Will they come down on him. Nah, because everybody i know in my area, has had the same experience . It fails . That is my opinon, and my poor opinion of justice. First hand

  2. John Taylor says:

    I think John B has a valid point here, especially over the US President’s frequent use of a derogatory prefix. However, in the case of Family Law, I believe I’m fair as a person but my personal experience of Family Law Court shaped my lifelong opinion – of that court! I attended many hearings as a McKenzie Friend and witnessed arrogance, abuse and racism from F.C. judges in England and Scotland.
    My main and lasting resentment has been maintained for the FCWO who wrote a letter to the court on behalf of my ten year old daughter, saying she never wanted to see me again. We had perfectly fine contact till mum got new man in her life, so I had to go. One of those rare lazy disinterested judges simply accepted it as true and I never saw my daughter for another 16 years. We are now a very happy Dad n daughter team, her having contacted me via Facebook. She clearly remembers being asked to sign what the FCWO had written and knew it was wrong. She even remembers his name.
    Sorry John, there is not enough negative prefixes for these people who destroy families. Mean well? I don’t think so.

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