Change to Marriage and Civil Partnership Laws

Posted on 27 February 2023 in Family Law

Today, 27 February 2023, the law relating to Marriage and Civil Partnerships in England and Wales is changing.

From today, the minimum age at which a person can marry or enter a civil partnership will increase from 16 years old to 18 years old. The original bill was introduced to parliament by MP Pauline Latham who said it would "transform the life chances of many girls".

The earliest age at which a person has been able to get married or enter a civil partnership is 16 years, with their parent or legal guardian's consent. The changes take away a parent's ability to consent to, or otherwise arrange, the child's marriage.

The change to the law also extends existing forced marriage legislation, making it an offence to arrange the marriage of a child before their 18th birthday, even where force, threats or coercion are not used. The new offense carries a sentence of up to 7 years imprisonment.

The new law means that both parties to a marriage or civil partnership will need to be 18 years old. This extends and applies to cultural or religious marriages not registered with the council.

In relation to marriages and civil partnerships entered before this date where the parties are under 18, they remain valid. The new law only affects marriages and civil partnerships entered after 27 February 2023.

Find out more

If you have any questions in relation to this news, please do not hesitate to contact our Family Team who would be happy to help.

Contact our legal experts

Aimee Aspinall

Posted by
Aimee Aspinall
Senior Associate & Solicitor

Recent cases

Prevented Child Abduction

Advising a mother where the father attempted to abduct the child by removing them from the jurisdiction without the mother’s knowledge or consent. Secured the urgent return of the child and a lives with order for the child in the mother’s care.

Secured Child’s Urgent Return to Mother Amid Neglect Allegations

Advising a mother where the father made serious allegations of child neglect and refused to return the child to the mother’s care following contact. Secured the urgent return for the child to the mother’s care and a prohibited steps order so that the father could not remove the child save for contact.

Cleared Father of Abuse Allegations

Advising a father where the mother had alleged that the relationship was characterised by domestic abuse and violence perpetrated by the father including physical, emotional, and serious allegations of sexual abuse. No findings were made against the father and a lives with order for the child in the father’s care was secured.

Secured Urgent Return of Child to Father Amid Mother’s Mental Health Concerns

Advising a father who raised concerns over the mother’s rapid decline in mental health. The mother also had a history of abusing alcohol and prescription-based medications. Secured the urgent return of the child to the father’s care and a lives with order for the father.

Advised High-Earning Actuary Husband in Divorce

Advising Husband, high earning equity partner of a London Actuaries in divorce proceedings. Providing advice to enable parties to reach agreement.

Secured Wife’s Interests in Property, Business & Pensions Amid Husband’s Suspension

Advising Wife in divorce proceedings. Husband having been suspended as a partner in his dental practice. Successfully obtaining an order for Wife to obtain interests in property, business and pensions.

Protected Husband’s Family Assets in Complex Divorce

Advising Husband, a partner in a holiday park business and also a partner in the family farm in divorce proceedings where the Wife asserted she had an interest in properties owned by the Husband with his Brother and Mother. Successfully protecting Husband’s family assets.

Secured Findings of Abuse to Protect Mother and Daughter

Acting for a mother securing findings of psychological and emotional abuse towards both her and her daughter from her ex-husband.

Child Safely Returned to Mother After Abduction Attempt

Securing the return of a young child to the mother’s care following an attempted abduction by the child’s father. Proceeding to obtain safeguarding orders to ensure the safety of the child in the mother’s care.

Protection Order Secured to Safeguard At-Risk Child

Securing a Female Genital Mutilation Protection Order where it had been feared that a young child was at risk of the same.

What our clients say

"The family team at Tozers have a very calming attitude and presence. Bea Taylor and her team helped calm me during the hard times of my case"

"Aimee punches above her experience in the way that she handles cases. She is a rising star."

"I have always been very impressed with Aimee. She provides very good advice and is very thorough."

"David Cobern has been a real asset in helping me through my traumatic divorce over the last five years. He has shown incredible patience, insight and empathy in trying to manage my legal case in what has proven to be a really bruising separation. David has been extremely organised over a long period of time and has remembered the smallest details maintaining a real grip on the facts. Most importantly, David has been a friendly and compassionate voice and has always been available at short notice."

"David has been a tower of strength following my traumatic separation last year. He has always listened most attentively and confidently offers sound evidence based advice. I don’t think I could have got through this awful period of my life without his valuable assistance. David constantly has mine and my children’s best interests at the forefront of his mind and I have always felt safe in his care. I have and will always recommend David to anyone that needs family legal support. He really is amazing."

"Throughout my case, David has demonstrated exceptional client care, consistently going above and beyond to provide clear, pragmatic and compassionate advice. His responsiveness and sympathetic communication have been invaluable, providing reassurance during what has been a stressful and emotionally charged process. I always feel supported and confident in his guidance, knowing that he genuinely has my best interests at heart. I cannot recommend him highly enough, his dedication and expertise truly set him apart."

"David has been my solicitor from the start of my separation to the close of legal proceedings. I chose David to represent me as he was empathetic, measured and captured the priorities of my situation. He has a kind, but firm approach. He understands the nuances of child arrangements, he has access to excellent barristers, and he has strong financial legal knowledge and experience. David helped me recoup significant financial loses."

“Thank you to Eleanor. I am extremely glad that she was the one guiding me through the proceedings.
I am so grateful for all her help. She made me feel as comfortable as I could throughout the process, despite my own complexities.”

"I will always be grateful for the kindness, skill and professionalism Tony has shown. A big thank you to all he has done for my family"

"Absolutely amazing all the way through… kept me informed of any developments in my case… very professional with recommendations and support… highly recommend them to anyone who is going through the process of being taken to court regarding family matters..."

Anonymous

Articles

Addressing Financial Matters Alongside Divorce Proceedings – How Best to Prepare

20 January 2026

Change to Marriage and Civil Partnership Laws

Find out more

Recent cases

Prevented Child Abduction

Secured Child’s Urgent Return to Mother Amid Neglect Allegations

Cleared Father of Abuse Allegations

Secured Urgent Return of Child to Father Amid Mother’s Mental Health Concerns

Advised High-Earning Actuary Husband in Divorce

Secured Wife’s Interests in Property, Business & Pensions Amid Husband’s Suspension

Protected Husband’s Family Assets in Complex Divorce

Secured Findings of Abuse to Protect Mother and Daughter

Child Safely Returned to Mother After Abduction Attempt

Protection Order Secured to Safeguard At-Risk Child

What our clients say

Latest insights