Northern Ireland, same-sex marriage and opposite-sex civil partnership: update

On 28 October, the House of Commons debated the Report pursuant to section 3(5) of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019. In the course of that debate, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Julian Smith MP, said this:

“Following 21 October, a further duty in relation to providing for same-sex marriage and opposite-sex civil partnerships in Northern Ireland has also come into effect. The Government will ensure that the necessary regulations are in place by 13 January 2020, so that civil marriage between couples of the same sex and civil partnerships for opposite-sex couples can take place in Northern Ireland. Continue reading