Overview

This bill aims to raise the minimum legal age for marriage and civil partnerships in England and Wales to 18. It also creates a new criminal offence for forcing someone under 18 into marriage or a civil partnership.

Description

The bill makes several key changes to existing laws:

• Minimum Age for Marriage and Civil Partnerships: It increases the minimum age for both marriage and civil partnerships from 16 to 18 years old. This eliminates exceptions allowing younger individuals to marry with parental consent.
• New Criminal Offence: It introduces a new criminal offence for anyone who forces or coerces a person under 18 into marriage or a civil partnership.
• Amendment to Existing Laws: The bill amends the Marriage Act 1949 and the Civil Partnership Act 2004 to reflect the new minimum age. It also amends the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to include civil partnerships in the definition of forced marriage offences.
• Geographical Scope: The bill applies only to England and Wales.
• Effective Date: The main provisions will come into force two months after the bill becomes law.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to significantly increase or decrease government spending. The primary cost will likely involve enforcing the new criminal offence, but no figures have been publicly released.

Groups Affected

• Children and Young People (Under 18): The bill directly protects them from being forced into marriage or civil partnerships. It also prevents them from entering into such unions against their will.
• Parents and Guardians: The bill removes their ability to consent to the marriage or civil partnership of their child under 18.
• Law Enforcement Agencies: These agencies will be responsible for investigating and prosecuting offences related to forced marriages or civil partnerships of those under 18.
• Courts: The courts will adjudicate cases involving violations of the new law.

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