Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government further to the Written Answers by Lord Bellamy on 16 June and 2 August 2023 (HL8197 and HL9550), whether they will publish a response to the Law Commission Report Celebrating Marriage: A New Weddings Law, published in July 2022, particularly Recommendation 42.

Answered by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We are aware that the Law Commission made recommendations for wholesale change to weddings law in July 2022. These recommendations include recommendation 42, in relation to the creation of offences relating to an officiant dishonestly misleading a couple about the legal effect of a wedding ceremony or failing to disclose that the ceremony they are officiating will not create a valid marriage. We will take the time as a new Government properly to consider the Law Commission’s recommendations and will outline our position in due course.

The Marriage Act 1949 enables religious bodies, alongside the Church of England and the Church in Wales, to conduct legally binding weddings. However, the difficulties which those who have undergone ceremonies which do not qualify as legally binding face when their relationships come to an end is a matter of concern. That is why the Government committed in its 2024 manifesto to ‘strengthen the rights and protections available to women in cohabiting couples’. We will set out the next steps on this manifesto commitment in the near future.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the recommendation for reform of the Marriage Act 1949 in paragraph 8.50, page 135, of The Casey Review into Opportunity and Integration, published in December 2016.

Answered by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We are aware that the Law Commission made recommendations for wholesale change to weddings law in July 2022. These recommendations include recommendation 42, in relation to the creation of offences relating to an officiant dishonestly misleading a couple about the legal effect of a wedding ceremony or failing to disclose that the ceremony they are officiating will not create a valid marriage. We will take the time as a new Government properly to consider the Law Commission’s recommendations and will outline our position in due course.

The Marriage Act 1949 enables religious bodies, alongside the Church of England and the Church in Wales, to conduct legally binding weddings. However, the difficulties which those who have undergone ceremonies which do not qualify as legally binding face when their relationships come to an end is a matter of concern. That is why the Government committed in its 2024 manifesto to ‘strengthen the rights and protections available to women in cohabiting couples’. We will set out the next steps on this manifesto commitment in the near future.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the compliance of the Marriage Act 1949 and other marriage law with the right to freedom of religion or belief, as Church of England and Church in Wales marriage ceremonies fulfil legal requirements and are legally recognised, while other religious ceremonies may not be.

Answered by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We are aware that the Law Commission made recommendations for wholesale change to weddings law in July 2022. These recommendations include recommendation 42, in relation to the creation of offences relating to an officiant dishonestly misleading a couple about the legal effect of a wedding ceremony or failing to disclose that the ceremony they are officiating will not create a valid marriage. We will take the time as a new Government properly to consider the Law Commission’s recommendations and will outline our position in due course.

The Marriage Act 1949 enables religious bodies, alongside the Church of England and the Church in Wales, to conduct legally binding weddings. However, the difficulties which those who have undergone ceremonies which do not qualify as legally binding face when their relationships come to an end is a matter of concern. That is why the Government committed in its 2024 manifesto to ‘strengthen the rights and protections available to women in cohabiting couples’. We will set out the next steps on this manifesto commitment in the near future.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to protect the spousal rights of women who have been married outside of the legal framework for weddings in England and Wales.

Answered by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We are aware that the Law Commission made recommendations for wholesale change to weddings law in July 2022. These recommendations include recommendation 42, in relation to the creation of offences relating to an officiant dishonestly misleading a couple about the legal effect of a wedding ceremony or failing to disclose that the ceremony they are officiating will not create a valid marriage. We will take the time as a new Government properly to consider the Law Commission’s recommendations and will outline our position in due course.

The Marriage Act 1949 enables religious bodies, alongside the Church of England and the Church in Wales, to conduct legally binding weddings. However, the difficulties which those who have undergone ceremonies which do not qualify as legally binding face when their relationships come to an end is a matter of concern. That is why the Government committed in its 2024 manifesto to ‘strengthen the rights and protections available to women in cohabiting couples’. We will set out the next steps on this manifesto commitment in the near future.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when her Department plans to publish a response to the Law Commission report entitled Celebrating Marriage: A New Weddings Law, published in July 2022.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

We are aware that the Law Commission made recommendations for wholesale change of weddings law in July 2022. We will take the time as a new Government to properly consider this issue. We will set out our next steps on our manifesto commitment to strengthen rights and protections for women in cohabitating couples in the near future.

Found: Accounts - Visitor Derived income (excl catering) 1140 2112 -972 Other External Trading Accounts - Weddings

Found: Civil and religious weddings Opposite-sex couples can have a civil wedding or a religious wedding.

Found: for making gifts within families or among friends and associates (for example, births, birthdays, weddings

Found: and consistent delivery of a high-quality service spanning private parties, conferences, awards , weddings

Found: Bookings for weddings and private parties have steadily increased and this year we were delighted to

Found: They capture content at all types of events including weddings, corporate functions and gatherings

Found: volunteers we are now able to plan ahead and accommodate events, themed evenings, seasonal activities and weddings

Found: targeted at private/public/third sector corporate clients across Western/Southern Scotland, as well as weddings

Found: There was also some experience of parties and weddings causing conflicts with the primary use as an