AQW 37119/22-27

Mr Eóin Tennyson
Alliance Party
Upper Bann

Tabled Date: 09/12/2025
Answered On Date: 16/12/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Finance to detail whether he has engaged with the UK Government regarding their formal response to the The Law Commission of England and Wales' 2019 report entitled A New Weddings Law.

Answer:

The marriage law in England and Wales differs markedly from our own in a number of respects and, as a result, recommendations as to how it might be amended are not of particular relevance here. Many of the reforms proposed by the Law Commission of England and Wales, including a more straightforward notification process, recognition of belief marriage and a greater choice of wedding venue, are already in place in this jurisdiction and have been for many years.

I have not engaged with the Westminster Government with regard to its response to the report of the Law Commission of England and Wales on the marriage law in that jurisdiction. My Department will, however, keep in view the legislative process the Westminster Government plans to undertake in the new year following its response.