New legislation changes the minimum legal age to marry in England and Wales to 18
England and Wales are soon going to set a law into force which will raise the minimum legal age to marry to 18.
According to the BBC on Monday, February 27, the law will also cover ceremonies that are not legally binding.
This new law will be replacing the previous one which made it possible for people to marry at the age of 16 or 17, through parental consent. There was also no law that would prohibit ceremonies between younger children that were not registered.
The government has said that the changes in the law would protect children who are vulnerable from getting forced into marriage.
The new law also makes any arrangement for child marriage illegal, regardless of whether force is used.
Authorities have also said that the people who are found guilty of breaking this law could face up to seven years in jail.
This change in the law will not be applicable to Scotland or Northern Ireland, where the minimum age to marry is 16.
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