AQW 21881/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 04/02/2025
Answered On Date: 14/02/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Finance whether provisions to protect victims of domestic abuse who are seeking legal separation from their spouse will be included in the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill.

Answer:

The Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill, on which my Department consulted in 2021-22, focuses on belief marriage and increasing the current minimum age for marriage and civil partnership from 16 to 18.

Work is separately in progress to review the substantive law on divorce, separation and dissolution. In this our aim is to ensure that the relevant legislation better meets the needs of those who wish to end their marriage or partnership, including people who have experienced domestic abuse.