United Kingdom

Provisions related to forced marriage in United Kingdom are found in the Anti-Social Behaviour, crime and policing Act, which addresses deception, violence, threats or any other form of coercion for contracting a marriage at article 121, upon conviction a potential penalty of imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine or both, on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years.The Matrimonial Causes Art, Marriage Act Scotland, Matrimonial Causes (NI) Order addresses that marriage without consent or duress or fraud are void at article 12(c), article 20A(4) and article 14(c).

There appears to be no legislation in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland that prohibits servile matrimonial transactions.

Although legislation in the United Kingdom does not prohibit marriage trafficking as such, it does prohibit deception for forced marriage under article 121 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, crime and policing Act, with a potential penalty to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine or both.

The minimum age for marriage in England and Wales without parental consent is 21, without differentiation of gender, as set out on Article 3 of the 1949 Marriage (England & Wales) Act. However, the minimum age for marriage in England and Wales with parental consent is 18, without differentiation of gender, as set out on Article 2 of the 1949 Marriage (England & Wales) Act, as amended in 2022. The minimum age for marriage in Scotland is 16, without differentiation of gender, as set out on Article 7(1) of the 1977 Marriage (Scotland) Act. Where marriages are conducted involving a person below the minimum age, the marriage shall be void, as set out on Article 7(2) of the 1977 Marriage (Scotland) Act. The minimum age for marriage in England and Wales without parental consent is 18, without differentiation of gender, as set out on Article 22 of the 2003 Marriage (NI) Order. However, the minimum age for marriage in England and Wales with parental consent is 16, without differentiation of gender, as set out on Article 22 of the 2003 Marriage (NI) Order. Where marriages are conducted involving a person below the age of 16, the marriage shall be void, as set out on Article 1 of the Age of Marriage (NI) Act.