Commentary on Sections Part 4 – Civil Partnership: Northern Ireland.Introduction Chapter 1 - Registration Section 158: Offences
286.This section creates offences and associated penalties in relation to the formation of civil partnerships.
287.Subsection (1) creates an offence where a registrar signs the civil partnership schedule in the absence of the civil partners.
288.Subsection (2) makes it an offence for a person, other than a duly appointed registrar, to officiate at the signing of the civil partnership schedule by leading the civil partners to believe that he is a registrar.
289.Subsection (3) sets out the maximum penalty that may be imposed for these offences.
290.Subsection (4) specifies the time-limit (3 years) within which a prosecution may be brought.