Overview

This bill aims to raise the minimum age for marriage and civil partnerships in England and Wales to 18 years old. It updates existing legislation to reflect this change and creates new offenses related to marrying or facilitating the marriage of a child under 18.

Description

The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Bill makes several key changes to existing laws:

• Minimum Age Increase: The bill increases the minimum age for marriage and civil partnerships in England and Wales from 16 to 18. This eliminates exceptions for 16 and 17-year-olds previously permitted under certain circumstances.
• New Offence: It introduces a new offense of conducting any action to cause a child under 18 to marry, regardless of coercion or violence. There is an exception if the person's conduct is to cause a 16 or 17-year-old to marry in Northern Ireland or Scotland.
• Amendments to Existing Acts: The bill amends the Marriage Act 1949, the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, and the Civil Partnership Act 2004, removing clauses that permit marriage under 18 and making consequential changes.
• Overseas Partnerships: The bill deems civil partnerships registered overseas void if one partner was under 18 and domiciled in England and Wales.
• Consequential Amendments: The bill includes a schedule detailing numerous minor and consequential amendments to related legislation, ensuring consistency across laws.

Government Spending

The bill's impact on government spending is not explicitly stated in the provided text. The main cost will likely be associated with enforcement of the new offense and updating relevant administrative processes. No figures are available.

Groups Affected

• Children (under 18): The bill protects children from being forced into or entering into marriage before they reach the age of 18.
• Parents/Guardians: The bill will impact parents who may have previously sought to arrange marriages for their children under 18.
• Religious Organizations: Religious organizations that may have previously conducted marriages involving those under 18 will be affected by the changes.
• Legal Professionals: Lawyers will need to be aware of the changes in the law concerning marriage and civil partnerships.
• Law Enforcement: Police and other law enforcement agencies will be responsible for enforcing the new offense.

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