Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Bill

The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Bill, a Private Member's Bill introduced by Lord Lester of Herne Hill QC, had its Second Reading debate in the House of Lords on 26 January 2007. The Bill received cross-party backing but not Government support. The object and purpose of the Bill is to provide protection for the victims of forced marriage by means of civil remedies in the family courts. The Bill focuses on prevention rather than cure, and allows victims or third parties acting on their behalf to seek simple remedies before a marriage has taken place. It makes clear that it is unlawful for people outside the immediate family to aid and abet" forced marriage, including deception used for the purpose of causing a forced marriage. As a secondary remedy, the Bill allows civil proceedings to be brought to obtain compensation where an injunction cannot provide an effective remedy. For more information and to obtain a copy of the Bill see www.odysseustrust.org. The Bill can also be found on the Parliament website, www.parliament.uk. For further information see March [2007] Fam Law"