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ISSUES: Title
Glossary
Glossary
Arranged marriage
A marriage that is arranged by the parents of the bride
and groom. Arranged marriage is very different from
forced marriage, because the bride and groom agree to
the process.
Bigamy
Marrying more than one person. This is a criminal offence,
punishable by law.
Child marriage
Where children, often before they have reached puberty,
are given to be married – often to a person many years
older.
Civil partnership
The Civil Partnership Act 2004 (CPA) allowed LGB people
the right to form legal partnerships for the first time, giving
them rights comparable to those of married couples. A
civil partnership is a new legal relationship, exclusively for
same-sex couples, distinct from marriage.
Cohabitation
People in an intimate relationship who live together. In the
eyes of the law, cohabiting couples do not have the same
rights as married couples (for example, a couple who are
cohabiting do not qualify to be each others’ next of kin).
Common law marriage
Many people believe that a marriage-like relationship
can be established simply by cohabiting for an extended
period of time. In legal terms, this is not true. Cohabitation
does not lead to the same rights as marriage.
Divorce
The legal separation of husband and wife.
Forced marriage
A marriage that takes place without the consent of one or
both parties. Forced marriage is not the same as arranged
marriage, which is organised by family or friends but which
both parties freely enter into.
Living Together Agreement
A legal agreement, reached between cohabiting couples,
which aims to clearly define what should happen in
relation to property, assets and children should the couple
break up.
Marriage
When a man and a woman join together in a close and
intimate union that is recognised by law, becoming
husband and wife. In the UK, the legal age at which you
can marry is 18-years-old, or 16- to 17-years-old if you have
parental consent.
Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 2012–13
Currently, same-sex marriage is not permitted under UK
law. The Same Sex Couples Bill aims to introduce civil
marriage for same-sex couples in England and Wales. Some
argue that same-sex marriage will ‘weaken the institution
of marriage’, while others are strongly in favour of the Bill.
The Same Sex Couples Bill would also allow homosexual
couples to wed in religious ceremonies, if the registered
buildings/premises agree.
Monogamy
Monogamous relationships involve just two partners.
Polygamy
Relationships that involve more than two people. For
example, having more than one spouse.
Prenuptial agreement (pre-nup)
A contract entered into by the two people before they are
married or enter into a civil union together. A prenuptial
agreement functions as an insurance policy, detailing how
assets would be divided in the case of a separation.
