Religion and Marriage Law: The Need for Reform

Description

Marriage law in England and Wales is a historical relic which reflects a bygone age. Successive governments have made a series of progressive but ad hoc reforms, most notably the introduction of civil partnerships and same-sex marriage. However, this has resulted in a legal framework which is complex and controversial, especially in relation to religion. This book provides the first accessible guide to how contemporary marriage law interacts with religion and identifies pressure points in relation to non-religious organisations and unregistered religious marriages. It reveals the need for the consolidation, modernisation and reform of marriage law and sets out proposals for how the transformation of these laws can be achieved.

Russell Sandberg is Professor of Law at Cardiff University.

"Not only is Sandberg's contribution very timely but it is also refreshing in its preoccupation not with one or two proposals but a combination of complementary measures to provide a comprehensive solution to a long-standing problem with marriage laws in Britain." Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs "...the book provides an invaluable and informative assessment of the legal regulation of adult intimate relationships in England and Wales, and of the reform proposals introduced to address this 'antiquated' area of law." What I Wish I Knew About Law School "[Sandberg] adroitly surfs the wave created by the Law Commission's current programme of reform... his case for reform is powerful and compelling." Church Times "Of considerable use to policy-makers and of significant interest to those seeking to understand the debates, problems and complexities surrounding this area of law reform. It is clear and accessible and provides much food for thought." Ecclesiastical Law Journal "Sandberg is to be praised for [this] contribution to an important topic." Law Society Gazette "This book should be congratulated for providing comprehensible and clear analysis for this complex and often misunderstood legal subject... [It] truly captures the essence of the need for reform." What I Wish I Knew About Law School