Explanatory Memorandum to Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 Explanatory Memorandum

The Law Relating to Marriage

5.The judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in B and L v UK [2005] was critical of the current law which prohibits a man from marrying his former daughter-in-law while his son and his son’s mother are still alive. The law was held to be in breach of the man’s right to marry under Article 12 of the Convention. The Government is committed to remedying this breach.

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