Matrimonial Causes Act 1973

Nullity E+W

11 Grounds on which a marriage is void. E+W

A marriage celebrated after 31st July 1971[F1 , other than a marriage to which section 12A applies,] shall be void on the following grounds only, that is to say—

(a) that it is not a valid marriage under the provisions of [F2 the [F3 Marriage Acts 1949 to 1986]] (that is to say where—

(i) the parties are within the prohibited degrees of relationship;

(ii) either party is under the age of [F4 eighteen]; F5 ...

[F6 (iia) the marriage is solemnized in contravention of section 2A of the Marriage Act 1949; or]

(iii) the parties have intermarried in disregard of certain requirements as to the formation of marriage);

(b) that at the time of the marriage either party was already lawfully married [F7 or a civil partner];

F8 (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d) in the case of a polygamous marriage entered into outside England and Wales, that either party was at the time of the marriage domiciled in England and Wales.

For the purposes of paragraph (d) of this subsection a marriage [F9 is not polygamous if] at its inception neither party has any spouse additional to the other.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 11 inserted (10.12.2014) by The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 (Consequential and Contrary Provisions and Scotland) and Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/3168), art. 1(2)(3), Sch. para. 6(2)

F2 Words substituted by virtue of Marriage Act 1983 (c. 32, SIF 49:1), s. 12(1)

F3 Words substituted by Marriage (Prohibited Degrees of Relationship) Act 1986 (c. 16, SIF 49:1), s. 6(4)

F4 Word in s. 11(a)(ii) substituted (27.2.2023) by Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 (c. 28), s. 7(1), Sch. para. 3 (with s. 8); S.I. 2023/88, reg. 2 (with regs. 3-17)

F5 Word in s. 11(a)(ii) omitted (2.8.2024) by virtue of Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (c. 21), ss. 75(4), 81(2); S.I. 2024/846, reg. 2(a)

F6 S. 11(a)(iia) inserted (2.8.2024) by Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (c. 21), ss. 75(4), 81(2); S.I. 2024/846, reg. 2(a)

F7 Words in s. 11(b) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), ss. 261(1), 263, Sch. 27 para. 40; S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(2) (subject to art. 2(3)-(5))

F8 S. 11(c) omitted (13.3.2014) by virtue of Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 (c. 30), s. 21(3), Sch. 7 para. 27; S.I. 2014/93, art. 3(k)(ii)

F9 Words in s. 11 substituted (8.1.1996) by 1995 c. 42, ss. 8(2), 16(2), Sch. para. 2(2) (with s. 8(1)(3))

12 Grounds on which a marriage is voidable. E+W

[F10 (1) A marriage celebrated after 31st July 1971[F11 , other than a marriage to which section 12A applies,] shall be voidable on the following grounds only, that is to say—

(a) that the marriage has not been consummated owing to the incapacity of either party to consummate it;

(b) that the marriage has not been consummated owing to the wilful refusal of the respondent to consummate it;

(c) that either party to the marriage did not validly consent to it, whether in consequence of duress, mistake, unsoundness of mind or otherwise;

(d) that at the time of the marriage either party, though capable of giving a valid consent, was suffering (whether continuously or intermittently) from mental disorder within the meaning of [F12 the Mental Health Act 1983] of such a kind or to such an extent as to be unfitted for marriage;

(e) that at the time of the marriage the respondent was suffering from venereal disease in a communicable form;

(f) that at the time of the marriage the respondent was pregnant by some person other than the petitioner.

[F13 (g) that an interim gender recognition certificate under the Gender Recognition Act 2004 has, after the time of the marriage, been issued to either party to the marriage;]

[F14 (h) that the respondent is a person whose gender at the time of the marriage had become the acquired gender under the Gender Recognition Act 2004.]]

[F15 (2) Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) do not apply to the marriage of a same sex couple.]

Textual Amendments

F10 S. 12 renumbered as s. 12(1) (13.3.2014) by Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 (c. 30), s. 21(3), Sch. 4 para. 4(2); S.I. 2014/93, art. 3(j)(i)

F11 Words in s. 12 inserted (10.12.2014) by The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 (Consequential and Contrary Provisions and Scotland) and Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/3168), art. 1(2)(3), Sch. para. 6(3)

F12 Words substituted by Mental Health Act 1983 (c. 20, SIF 85), ss. 146, 147, 148, Sch. 4 para. 34

F13 S. 12(g) inserted (4.4.2005) by Gender Recognition Act 2004 (c. 7), ss. 4(4), 26, Sch. 2 para. 2; S.I. 2005/54, art. 2

F14 S. 12(h) inserted (4.4.2005) by Gender Recognition Act 2004 (c. 7), ss. 11, 26, Sch. 4 para. 5; S.I. 2005/54, art. 2

F15 S. 12(2) inserted (13.3.2014) by Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 (c. 30), s. 21(3), Sch. 4 para. 4(3); S.I. 2014/93, art. 3(j)(i)

[F16 12A. Grounds on which a marriage converted from a civil partnership is void or voidable E+W

(1) This section applies to a marriage which has been converted, or is purported to have been converted, from a civil partnership under section 9 of the 2013 Act and regulations made under that section.

(2) A marriage which results from the purported conversion of a void civil partnership is void.

(3) A marriage which results from the conversion of a civil partnership is voidable if any of paragraphs (c) to (h) of section 12(1) applied at the date from which the marriage is treated as having subsisted in accordance with section 9(6) of the 2013 Act.

(4) In this section, the “2013 Act” means the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013.]

Textual Amendments

F16 S. 12A inserted (10.12.2014) by The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 (Consequential and Contrary Provisions and Scotland) and Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/3168), art. 1(2)(3), Sch. para. 6(4)

[F17 12B The period before nullity of marriage orders may be made final E+W

(1) An order that annuls a marriage which is void or voidable (a “nullity of marriage order”)—

(a) is, in the first instance, a conditional order, and

(b) may not be made final before the end of the period of 6 weeks from the making of the conditional order.

(2) The Lord Chancellor may by order made by statutory instrument amend this section so as to shorten or lengthen the period for the purposes of subsection (1)(b).

(3) But the Lord Chancellor may not under subsection (2) lengthen the period so that it exceeds 6 months.

(4) In a particular case the court dealing with the case may by order shorten the period that would otherwise be applicable for the purposes of subsection (1)(b).

(5) A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (2) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.]

Textual Amendments

F17 S. 12B inserted (6.4.2022) by Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (c. 11), s. 8(1)(8), Sch. para. 12 (with s. 8(4)); S.I. 2022/283, reg. 2

13 Bars to relief where marriage is voidable. E+W

(1) The court shall [F18 not make a nullity of marriage order] on the ground that a marriage is voidable if the respondent satisfies the court—

(a) that the [F19 applicant], with knowledge that it was open to him to have the marriage avoided, so conducted himself in relation to the respondent as to lead the respondent reasonably to believe that he would not seek to do so; and

(b) that it would be unjust to the respondent to [F20 make the order].

[F21 (2) Without prejudice to subsection (1) above, the court shall not [F22 make a nullity of marriage order] by virtue of section 12 above on the grounds mentioned in paragraph ( c ), ( d ), ( e ) [F23 , (f) or (h) ] of that section unless—

(a) it is satisfied that proceedings were instituted within the period of three years from the date of the marriage, or

(b) leave for the institution of proceedings after the expiration of that period has been granted under subsection (4) below.]

[F24 (2A) Without prejudice to subsection (1) above, the court shall not [F25 make a nullity of marriage order] by virtue of section 12 above on the ground mentioned in paragraph (g) of that section unless it is satisfied that proceedings were instituted within the period of six months from the date of issue of the interim gender recognition certificate.]

(3) Without prejudice to subsections (1) and (2) above, the court shall not [F26 make a nullity of marriage order] by virtue of section 12 above on the grounds mentioned in paragraph (e) [F23 , (f) or (h)] of that section unless it is satisfied that the [F27 applicant] was at the time of the marriage ignorant of the facts alleged.

[F28 (4) In the case of proceedings for the [F29 making of a nullity of marriage order] by virtue of section 12 above on the grounds mentioned in paragraph ( c ), ( d ), ( e ) [F23 , (f) or (h) ] of that section, a judge of the court may, on an application made to him, grant leave for the institution of proceedings after the expiration of the period of three years from the date of the marriage if—

(a) he is satisfied that the [F30 applicant] has at some time during that period suffered from mental disorder within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1983, and

(b) he considers that in all the circumstances of the case it would be just to grant leave for the institution of proceedings.

(5) An application for leave under subsection (4) above may be made after the expiration of the period of three years from the date of the marriage.]

Textual Amendments

F18 Words in s. 13(1) substituted (6.4.2022) by Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (c. 11), s. 8(1)(8), Sch. para. 13(2)(a) (with s. 8(6)); S.I. 2022/283, reg. 2

F19 Word in s. 13(1)(a) substituted (6.4.2022) by Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (c. 11), s. 8(1)(8), Sch. para. 13(2)(b) (with s. 8(6)); S.I. 2022/283, reg. 2

F20 Words in s. 13(1)(b) substituted (6.4.2022) by Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (c. 11), s. 8(1)(8), Sch. para. 13(2)(c) (with s. 8(6)); S.I. 2022/283, reg. 2

F21 S. 13(2) substituted by Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 (c. 42, SIF 49:3), ss. 2(2), 48(2)

F22 Words in s. 13(2) substituted (6.4.2022) by Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (c. 11), s. 8(1)(8), Sch. para. 13(3) (with s. 8(6)); S.I. 2022/283, reg. 2

F23 Words in s. 13(2)(3)(4) substituted (4.4.2005) by Gender Recognition Act 2004 (c. 7), ss. 11, 26, Sch. 4 para. 6; S.I. 2005/54, art. 2

F24 S. 13(2A) inserted (4.4.2005) by Gender Recognition Act 2004 (c. 7), ss. 4(4), 26, Sch. 2 para. 3; S.I. 2005/54, art. 2

F25 Words in s. 13(2A) substituted (6.4.2022) by Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (c. 11), s. 8(1)(8), Sch. para. 13(4) (with s. 8(6)); S.I. 2022/283, reg. 2

F26 Words in s. 13(3) substituted (6.4.2022) by Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (c. 11), s. 8(1)(8), Sch. para. 13(5)(a) (with s. 8(6)); S.I. 2022/283, reg. 2

F27 Word in s. 13(3) substituted (6.4.2022) by Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (c. 11), s. 8(1)(8), Sch. para. 13(5)(b) (with s. 8(6)); S.I. 2022/283, reg. 2

F28 S. 13(4)(5) added by Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 (c. 42, SIF 49:3), ss. 2(3), 48(2)

F29 Words in s. 13(4) substituted (6.4.2022) by Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (c. 11), s. 8(1)(8), Sch. para. 13(6)(a) (with s. 8(6)); S.I. 2022/283, reg. 2

F30 Word in s. 13(4)(a) substituted (6.4.2022) by Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (c. 11), s. 8(1)(8), Sch. para. 13(6)(b) (with s. 8(6)); S.I. 2022/283, reg. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 13(4) modified by Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 (c. 42, SIF 49:3), ss. 46(2), 47(1), 48(2), Sch. 2 para. 2

14 Marriages governed by foreign law or celebrated abroad under English law. E+W

(1) [F31 Subject to subsection (3)] where, apart from this Act, any matter affecting the validity of a marriage would fall to be determined (in accordance with the rules of private international law) by reference to the law of a country outside England and Wales, nothing in section 11, 12 or 13(1) above shall—

(a) preclude the determination of that matter as aforesaid; or

(b) require the application to the marriage of the grounds or bar there mentioned except so far as applicable in accordance with those rules.

(2) In the case of a marriage which purports to have been celebrated under the Foreign Marriage Acts 1892 to 1947 or has taken place outside England and Wales and purports to be a marriage under common law, section 11 above is without prejudice to any ground on which the marriage may be void under those Acts or, as the case may be, by virtue of the rules governing the celebration of marriages outside England and Wales under common law.

[F32 (3) No marriage is to be treated as valid by virtue of subsection (1) if, at the time when it purports to have been celebrated, either party was already a civil partner.]

Textual Amendments

F31 Words in s. 14(1) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), ss. 261(1), 263, Sch. 27 para. 41(2); S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(2) (subject to art. 2(3)-(5))

F32 S. 14(3) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), ss. 261(1), 263, Sch. 27 para. 41(3); S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(2) (subject to art. 2(3)-(5))

[F33 15 Application of sections 8 and 9 to proceedings for a nullity of marriage order E+W

Section 8 (intervention of Queen's Proctor) and section 9 (proceedings before divorce order has been made final: general powers of court) apply in relation to proceedings for a nullity of marriage order as if for any reference in those sections to a divorce order there were substituted a reference to a nullity of marriage order.]

Textual Amendments

F33 S. 15 substituted (6.4.2022) by Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (c. 11), s. 8(1)(8), Sch. para. 14 (with s. 8(6)); S.I. 2022/283, reg. 2

16 Effect of [F34 annulment] in case of voidable marriage. E+W

[F35 (1)] [F36 A nullity of marriage order granted] in respect of a voidable marriage shall operate to annul the marriage only as respects any time after the [F37 order has been made final,] and the marriage shall, [F38 notwithstanding the order,] be treated as if it had existed up to that time.

[F39 (2) Subsection (1) has effect in relation to a decree of nullity granted after 31 July 1971 as it has effect in relation to a nullity of marriage order, but with the substitution—

(a) for “order has been made final,” of “decree has been made absolute,” and

(b) for “notwithstanding the order,” of “notwithstanding the decree,]

Textual Amendments

F34 Word in s. 16 heading substituted (6.4.2022) by Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (c. 11), s. 8(1)(8), Sch. para. 15(2); S.I. 2022/283, reg. 2

F35 S. 16 renumbered as s. 16(1) (6.4.2022) by Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (c. 11), s. 8(1)(8), Sch. para. 15(3); S.I. 2022/283, reg. 2

F36 Words in s. 16(1) substituted (6.4.2022) by Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (c. 11), s. 8(1)(8), Sch. para. 15(4)(a); S.I. 2022/283, reg. 2

F37 Words in s. 16(1) substituted (6.4.2022) by Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (c. 11), s. 8(1)(8), Sch. para. 15(4)(b); S.I. 2022/283, reg. 2

F38 Words in s. 16(1) substituted (6.4.2022) by Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (c. 11), s. 8(1)(8), Sch. para. 15(4)(c); S.I. 2022/283, reg. 2

F39 S. 16(2) inserted (6.4.2022) by Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (c. 11), s. 8(1)(8), Sch. para. 15(5); S.I. 2022/283, reg. 2