Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2026 to Question 21974 on Social Security Benefits: Polygamy, whether there is a statute law basis for recognising a polygamous marriage in England and Wales.

In areas for which the Lord Chancellor has policy responsibility, the court will normally apply common law rules to determine whether an overseas marriage (including a polygamous marriage) is recognised in England and Wales.

The Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 reinforces the common law rules on capacity to enter into an overseas marriage.