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30 July 2021 / Ruth Oyelakin
Issue: 7943 / Categories: Features , Family
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Marriage law: something old, something new?

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It is high time for marriage laws in England & Wales to be brought up to date for the modern era, says Ruth Oyelakin
  • Current marriage laws in England and Wales are extremely out of date: a reform would grant couples greater choice within a simple, fair, and consistent legal structure.
  • Temporary measures have been introduced as a result of the pandemic to widen the choice of venues for legally recognised marriages, and the Law Commission has concluded a consultation on proposals for reform, so it is hoped that greater changes will be made in the near future.

The legal requirements for a valid marriage in England and Wales have been established since 1836. How and where marriages can take place has, and continues to be, tightly regulated. The current system is described as being confusing, archaic, and out of date.

While it is accepted that it is important to regulate marriages and for there to be formal requirements, the current requirements do not reflect modern life. They also fail to offer couples the option of having a wedding

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