Asked by: Baroness Cox (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the compliance of the Marriage Act 1949 and other marriage law with the right to freedom of religion or belief, when 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 Bellamy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
The law makes provision for couples to marry in registered places of worship in a way that gives them legal rights and protections. Couples may choose instead to have a religious-only celebration alongside a legally binding civil ceremony.
However, the Government does share the concern that some people may have a wedding ceremony that does not give them legal rights and protections, without appreciating the consequences.
As part of its review, the Law Commission made recommendations which seek to ensure that, insofar as possible, couples are provided the same opportunities to legally marry in a way that reflects their beliefs. This would mean fewer ceremonies conducted according to religious rites result in a marriage that the law does not recognise.
The Government is considering its report carefully and will respond in due course.
Asked by: Baroness Cox (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Bellamy on 8 November 2022 (HL2958 and HL2957) when their response to the Law Commission’s report Celebrating Marriage: A New Weddings Law published on 19 July 2022 will be published.
Answered by Lord Bellamy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
The Government shares the concern that some people, and disproportionately women, may have a religious wedding that is not legally binding, and does not provide legal protections, without appreciating the consequences.
We are carefully considering the Law Commission’s recommendations on weddings reform. As part of its review, the Law Commission has considered ways of ensuring there are fewer religious wedding ceremonies that result in a marriage which the law does not recognise.
Marriage will always be one of our most important institutions, and we have a duty to consider the implications of any changes to the law in this area very carefully. We are now taking the time to consider the report’s recommendations and will publish a response shortly.
Asked by: Baroness Cox (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the adequacy of current marriage law in an inclusive multi-faith society.
Answered by Lord Bellamy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
The law makes provision for couples to marry in registered places of worship in a way that gives them legal rights and protections. Couples may choose instead to have a religious-only celebration alongside a legally binding civil ceremony.
However, the Government does share the concern that some people may have a wedding ceremony that does not give them legal rights and protections, without appreciating the consequences.
As part of its review, the Law Commission made recommendations which seek to ensure that, insofar as possible, couples are provided the same opportunities to legally marry in a way that reflects their beliefs. This would mean fewer ceremonies conducted according to religious rites result in a marriage that the law does not recognise.
The Government is considering its report carefully and will respond in due course.
Recognise the Nikkah as a legal form of marriage
- 14 Signatures
(Estimated Final Signatures: 112 - 1 added in the past 24hrs)
I would like the Nikkah, the Islamic religious ceremony of marriage, to be recognised in UK law. I want it to have the same legal recognition as other religious ceremonies that are recognised in UK law.
Found: Recognise the Nikkah as a legal form of marriage
A Bill to make provision for marriages taking place in any Church of England chapel licensed for the solemnization of marriages under sections 20 and 21 of the Marriage Act 1949 to be solemnized according to the rites and ceremonies of Christian denominations other than the Church of England.
Apr. 03 2024
Source Page: Getting married at a British embassy, high commission or consulateFound: Attend your appointment to give notice of your marriage.
May. 03 2024
Source Page: Self declaration form for marriage or civil partnership (PACS) in FranceFound: Self declaration form for marriage or civil partnership (PACS) in France
Mentions:
1: Elliot Colburn (Con - Carshalton and Wallington) As Tamils prepared to commemorate Maaveerar Naal remembrance day, and even during the ceremonies that - Speech Link
2: Jim Shannon (DUP - Strangford) The Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, which governs marriage in the Muslim community, contains numerous - Speech Link
Mar. 15 2012
Source Page: Equal civil marriage: a consultation. consultation paper. 25 p.Found: Equal civil marriage: a consultation. consultation paper. 25 p.
Nov. 28 2023
Source Page: Letter dated 23/11/2023 from Lord Sharpe of Epsom to Viscount Bridgeman regarding marriages conducted under Sharia Law, as raised during the King's speech debate. 2p.Found: of that review the Law Commission made recommendations regarding who should be able to solemnise a marriage