The Falkland Islands Constitution Order 2008

Protection of right to marry and found a family

10.—(1) Every man and woman of marriageable age (as determined by or under any law) has the right to marry and found a family.

(2) No person shall be compelled to marry, that is to say, to do so without his or her free and full consent.

(3) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of subsection (1) to the extent that the law makes provision that is reasonably required—

(a) in the interests of public order, public morality or public health;

(b) for regulating, in the public interest, the procedures and modalities of marriage; or

(c) for protecting the rights and freedoms of others,

except so far as that provision or, as the case may be, the thing done under its authority is shown not to be reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.

(4) Spouses shall be entitled to equal rights and shall be subject to equal responsibilities as between themselves and as regards their children both during marriage and, if the marriage is dissolved, on and after dissolution, but this equality of rights and responsibilities shall be subject to such arrangements or measures as may be agreed, or as may be ordered by a court, in the interests of their children.