This article highlights the question of gender neutrality in prescriptive legal texts and shows how the rise of feminism has led to the stigmatization of ‘sexist’ language by criticizing the use of the ‘masculine rule’ in legal texts. After a brief historical survey as to how and why the masculine rule was introduced in the early 19th century, the author explores the situation of gender-neutral drafting in a variety of English-speaking countries as well as in international organizations. This is followed by a detailed analysis of gender-neutral drafting in the United Kingdom and Ireland, with specific reference to the situation in Westminster, the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly of Wales, the Northern Ireland Assembly, and the Oireachtas in Dublin. It is noted that some of these legislative bodies have been quicker than others in introducing gender-neutral drafting.
The end of the 'masculine rule'? Gender-neutral legislative drafting in the United Kingdom and Ireland
WILLIAMS, CHRISTOPHER
2008-01-01
Abstract
This article highlights the question of gender neutrality in prescriptive legal texts and shows how the rise of feminism has led to the stigmatization of ‘sexist’ language by criticizing the use of the ‘masculine rule’ in legal texts. After a brief historical survey as to how and why the masculine rule was introduced in the early 19th century, the author explores the situation of gender-neutral drafting in a variety of English-speaking countries as well as in international organizations. This is followed by a detailed analysis of gender-neutral drafting in the United Kingdom and Ireland, with specific reference to the situation in Westminster, the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly of Wales, the Northern Ireland Assembly, and the Oireachtas in Dublin. It is noted that some of these legislative bodies have been quicker than others in introducing gender-neutral drafting.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
