Overview

This bill amends the Marriage Act 1949 to make it a criminal offence for anyone to knowingly and wilfully pretend to conduct a marriage ceremony that is not registered. This applies to ceremonies outside of those conducted by the Church of England, the Society of Friends, or within the Jewish faith according to Jewish customs.

Description

The bill adds a new subsection (2B) to Section 75 of the Marriage Act 1949. This new subsection criminalizes the act of knowingly and wilfully purporting to solemnize a marriage that is not registered, unless the marriage is conducted according to the rites of the Church of England, the usages of the Society of Friends, or the usages of the Jewish religion. The penalty for this offence is a fine upon summary conviction. The bill explicitly states that it only applies to England and Wales and comes into effect six months after it is passed.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to significantly impact government spending. The cost will primarily relate to enforcement by existing agencies, with no specific figures provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Individuals purporting to conduct unregistered marriages: They will be liable for a fine if found guilty of knowingly and wilfully performing such ceremonies.
• Couples participating in unregistered marriages: While not directly penalized by this bill, the couples involved may face legal ramifications should the person conducting their ceremony be prosecuted.
• Law enforcement agencies: These agencies will be responsible for investigating and prosecuting offenses under the amended act.
• Religious groups (excluding those specifically exempted): Those conducting marriage ceremonies outside the specified religious bodies may need to ensure proper registration to avoid potential legal issues.

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