2018-01-21
918
Since 1929 the minimum age for marriage has been sixteen. Before then, it was fourteen for boys and twelve for girls.
If a boy or girl of under sixteen is married, the marriage will be null and void. In addition, the child will be committing a criminal offence.
A person under the age of eighteen needs to obtain parental, or other consent to the marriage. If the consent is forged, or if the child states that he or she is over eighteen in order to make consent unnecessary, the marriage will remain valid, but the child will be committing a criminal offence. The marriage will only be invalid if the child is under sixteen.
Consents. A sixteen- or seventeen-year-old will need the signed consent jf parents and anyone else with parental responsibility.
If for some reason one of the parents cannot give consent (e.g. because he or she cannot be traced), then special consent will be needed; the registrar of marriages can provide details.
If the parents refuse their consent the child can apply to the court for its consent. Although the application can be to a Family Proceedings Court (a magistrates' court), a county court, or the High Court, it is usually most convenient to apply to the local Family Proceedings Court. The child should go to the court as though he or she wanted to issue an application and explain the position to the warrant officer.
Notes
commit a criminal offence — совершить уголовное деяние
(проступок) parental — родительский consent — согласие forged — подделанный, фальшивый
signed — подписанный
responsibility — ответственность
be traced — быть найденным
registrar of marriages — регистратор
refuse - отказываться
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magistrates' court — суд магистрата (в Англии)
county court — местный суд графства (в Англии) или округа
(в США)
be convenient — быть удобным issue an application — подать прошение, заявление warrant officer — служащий, определяющий, законен ли брак
Упражнения
Объясните по-английски следующие понятия.
1. parental responsibility
2. to be null and void
3. to commit a criminal offence
Ответьте на вопросы.
1. Whose consent to the marriage does a person under the age of eighteen,
need to obtain in Britain?
2. Will the marriage remain valid if the parental consent is forged?
3. Where can the child apply to if the parents refuse their consent?
4. What court is it usually most convenient to apply to?
Text 3
