Amanda Phillips-Wyld and Emily Beven examine changes to marriage as a legal and social institution
Children out of wedlock, a mortgage before the ring, polyamory, non-monogamous relationships and online dating are just some examples of how the once-taboo is suddenly commonplace in the world of relationships and romance.
Compound this with increasing financial insecurity, rising national insurance, the upward trajectory of household expenditure resulting in people generally being worse off and it makes you wonder whether the idea of marriage has completely fallen by the wayside.
Is the ‘red tape’ imposed by the laws governing matrimonial matters no longer fit for purpose?
The law and marriage: tradition and trends
As it stands, there are several restrictions imposed on couples l...
“… the marriage must be conducted by a person or in the presence of a person authorised to register marriages in the district…”
