Family lawyers express approval of proposed wedding reforms

Proposed reforms to the laws concerning weddings have been greeted with approval by family law solicitors in North Wales and England.

The idea behind them is to make getting married easier and less expensive, while also giving people more options. The government set up a consultation on the plans which has now closed, and family law professionals are speaking out. The majority of them have responded positively to the changes that are being put forward by the government.

One of the mooted reforms is to allow a greater range of venues to legally host marriage ceremonies. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) believes this will help to cut marriage costs. The average cost of a wedding right now is £20,000, which the MoJ has described as widely unaffordable.

Another proposal is the introduction of a two-step procedure that would include a face-to-face interview. This is intended to help with ID verification and to guard against sham or forced marriages.

One of the professionals to express approval is Sarah Green from Michelmores. Speaking to Today’s Family Lawyer, she said:

“The law should provide the framework and safeguards needed to make a marriage legally valid, rather than dictating what a wedding has to look like or where it has to take place.”

The reforms have also received the backing of the Law Society. However, it has warned that safeguards against forced or fraudulent marriages must remain strong.

At Bennett Smith Solicitors, we handle cases related to family law in North Wales with sensitivity and care. Call us now for a quote.