This chapter starts by considering how people get married, tracing the institution of marriage through history. It looks at the evolving popularity of marriage to the present day. The chapter then addresses the social and legal significance of marriage. It asks: Why does the state encourage people to marry? The chapter also looks at other ways in which relationships can be formalised under the law. Finally, the chapter turns to civil partnerships and looks at the changes in legal status to such partnerships over time. It also considers public perceptions of civil partnerships. Finally the chapter asks: Is there a future for marriage?
Chapter
2. Marriage and Civil Partnership
Chapter
2. Marriage and Civil Partnership
This chapter starts by tracing the regulation of marriage through history. It considers the legal steps necessary for a valid marriage, what happens if one gets it wrong, recognition of foreign marriages, and the law of nullity, using realistic scenarios. It looks at the evolving popularity of marriage to the present day. The chapter then addresses the social and legal significance of marriage. Why does the state encourage people to marry? What does marriage mean—to society generally and to the couple themselves? The Chapter considers civil partnership and the extent to which it differs from marriage, legally and in terms of public perception. Finally, the chapter asks: Is there a future for marriage?
Chapter
2. The Formation and Recognition of Adult Relationships: Marriage, Civil Partnerships, and Cohabitation
The Concentrate Questions and Answers series offers the best preparation for tackling exam and assignment questions. Each book includes key debates, typical questions, diagram answer plans, suggested answers, author commentary, and tips to gain extra marks. This chapter considers the formation and recognition of adult relationships, i.e. marriage, same-sex marriage, civil partnerships, and cohabitation. The questions included in this chapter cover: the right to marry contained in article 12 of the European Convention on Human Rights; forced marriage; the difference between opposite-sex marriage, same-sex marriage, and civil partnerships, and the difference between marriage and cohabitation.
Chapter
2. Relationships between Adults: Marriage, Civil Partnership, and Cohabitation
Andy Hayward
This chapter explores the historical development and modern statutory framework applicable to adult formalised and non-formalised relationships. It attempts to instil a thorough understanding of the key principles applicable to the formation and subsequent regulation of these relationships. Owing to the rapid change in family forms and the growing legal recognition of same-sex relationships, the statutory framework has evolved. The chapter assesses how far these frameworks have successfully accommodated modern family forms and whether further reform is required. Topics discussed include the evolution of marriage; the formal recognition of same-sex relationships; legal consequences and formalities for entry into marriage; the legal consequences of nullity; civil partnerships; and cohabitation.
Chapter
7. Marriage
Jonathan Hill
When the English court has to decide whether a marriage is valid, foreign elements may be involved: one or both of the spouses may be of overseas origin, or the marriage may have been celebrated in a foreign country. This chapter considers which law applies to determine the validity of such marriages. For choice of law purposes, rules about the validity of marriage are divided into two classes: those concerned with formal validity and those concerned with essential validity or capacity to marry. Rules of formal validity lay down the way in which a marriage must be celebrated (for example, to ensure publicity and proof of marriage). Rules of essential validity or capacity are concerned with the permissibility of the marriage relationship itself — whether the parties ought to be allowed to marry each other (or at all). The chapter also discusses the application of the doctrine of renvoi and rules for same-sex marriages, civil partnerships, and polygamous marriages.
Book
Ruth Gaffney-Rhys
The Concentrate Questions and Answers series offers the best preparation for tackling exam and assignment questions. Each book includes key debates, typical questions, diagram answer plans, suggested answers, author commentary, and tips to gain extra marks. Concentrate Q&A Family Law offers expert advice on what to expect from your family law exam, how best to prepare, and guidance on what examiners are really looking for. Written by an experienced examiner, it provides: clear commentary with each question and answer; diagram answer plans; tips to make your answer really stand out from the crowd; and further reading suggestions at the end of every chapter. The book should help you to: identify typical family law exam questions; structure a good answer; avoid common mistakes; show the examiner what you know; make your answer stand out; and find relevant further reading. After an introduction on exam skills for success in family law, chapters cover: marriage, civil partnerships, and cohabitation; void, voidable and non-marriage; divorce and judicial separation; domestic abuse; family property; financial remedies and child support; parenthood and parental responsibility; children’s rights and private law; international relocation and abduction; public law and adoption; mixed topic questions and skills for success in coursework assessments.
Book
Susan Heenan and Anna Heenan
Each Concentrate revision guide is packed with essential information, key cases, revision tips, exam Q&As, and more. Concentrates show you what to expect in a law exam, what examiners are looking for, and how to achieve extra marks. Family Law Concentrate is supported by extensive online resources to take your learning further. It has been written by experts and covers all the key topics so that you can approach your exams with confidence. The clear, succinct coverage enables you to quickly grasp the fundamental principles of this area of law and helps you to succeed in exams. This guide has been rigorously reviewed and is endorsed by students and lecturers for level of coverage, accuracy, and exam advice. It is clear, concise, and easy to use, helping you get the most out of your revision. After an introduction, the book covers: families, civil partnerships, and cohabitation; nullity; divorce, dissolution, and judicial separation; domestic abuse; financial provision on divorce or dissolution; Children—private law; Children—public law; adoption; and child abduction. This, the fifth edition, has been fully updated in light of recent developments in the law, including the extension of civil partnerships to heterosexual couples, the Law Commission reviews of the law of surrogacy and marriage and proposals to reform the law of divorce and domestic abuse.
