The wedding law commission is looking to make changes to the laws which govern marriage – those which have been in existence since 1836. It is hoping to reform regulations which stipulate how and where couples can get wed. The commission was launched today and the consultation period will run until 3rd December 2020.
The current law on giving notice:
A person must give notice that they intend to get married in person at their local registry office, where they must have lived for seven days. This notice is posted at the local register office.
The proposed law:
A person will be able to give notice that they intend to marry remotely, and can choose their district. This notice will be published online and available to the wider public.
The current law on wedding types:
Couples must choose between a religious and a civil ceremony. There is no option for a legal ceremony to cater for couples with differing beliefs, or beliefs that are non-religious.
The proposed law:
The proposed changes would allow weddings conducted by non-religious organisations such as Humanists or by independent celebrants to be legally binding.
The current law on location:
All couples must be legally married in a place of worship or a licensed secular venue. They are unable to get legally married outdoors, even in the garden of any aforementioned venue.
The proposed law:
Legal weddings will be allowed to take place anywhere the couple chooses, including outdoors and in their own homes.
The current law on ceremonies:
Civil weddings and some religious weddings must involve certain prescribed words. Religious elements are not allowed to be included in civil ceremonies.
The proposed law:
There will be no prescribed words, allowing couples to have more flexibility deciding what form their ceremony will take. Civil ceremonies will be able to have religious elements in them if the couple desires.
Now is the time to modernise and improve the situation so please do respond to the consultation with your views by accessing the online form.
Latansani 
2 replies on “Potential new legislation”
Howdy! This post could not be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!
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Glad to know that it is of help!
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