Overview

This bill amends the Marriage Act 1949 to make it a criminal offense for anyone to knowingly and willingly pretend to conduct a marriage ceremony that is not registered, excluding certain religious ceremonies.

Description

The bill adds a new subsection (2B) to section 75 of the Marriage Act 1949. This new subsection creates a new criminal offence. It will be illegal to knowingly and willingly pretend to perform a marriage ceremony for a couple whose marriage is not registered, unless the ceremony is a Church of England wedding, a Quaker wedding or a Jewish wedding performed according to Jewish customs. The penalty for this offense is a fine imposed on summary conviction.

The bill applies only to England and Wales and will come into force six months after it becomes law.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to significantly impact government spending. The costs will primarily relate to enforcement by the relevant authorities (likely the police and courts). No specific figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Individuals purporting to conduct unregistered marriages: These individuals could face fines if found guilty of the new offense.
• Couples participating in unregistered marriages: While not directly penalized, their participation could be indirectly affected by the increased scrutiny and potential criminal charges against those conducting the ceremonies.
• Law enforcement agencies: These agencies will be responsible for investigating and prosecuting offences under the amended Act.
• The Judiciary: The Courts will be involved in hearing and determining any cases brought under the amended Act.

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