Commentary Overview
118.This Part of the Act amends legislation about civil partnerships. Under the 2004 Act as enacted, only registrars can register civil partnerships. It is possible to have a religious or belief ceremony in relation to the civil partnership but any such ceremony has no legal significance. The Act amends legislation so that it is possible to have a religious or belief ceremony to register the partnership. Civil ceremonies also remain available.
119.Many of the provisions in this Act in relation to the authorisation of religious or belief celebrants to register civil partnerships, and on ceremonies, mirror provisions in the 1977 Act, on the solemnisation of marriage.