Consent of appropriate person unobtainableE+W
3(1)This paragraph applies if—E+W
(a)a child and another person intend to register as civil partners of each other under any procedure other than the special procedure, and
(b)the registration authority to whom the child gives a notice of proposed civil partnership is satisfied that the consent of a person whose consent is required (“A”) cannot be obtained because A is absent, inaccessible or under a disability.
(2)If there is any other person whose consent is also required, the registration authority must dispense with the need for A’s consent.
(3)If no other person’s consent is required—
(a)the Registrar General may dispense with the need for any consent, or
(b)the court may, on an application being made to it, consent to the child registering as the civil partner of the person mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a).
(4)The consent of the court under sub-paragraph (3)(b) has the same effect as if it had been given by A.