Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Bill

Following the Second Reading of the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Bill, introduced by Lord Lester of Herne Hill QC, the Liberal Democrat peer in the House of Lords on 26 January 2007, Lord Lester and the Odysseus Trust are consulting on various proposals to amend the Bill before it proceeds to Grand Committee. Suggested changes including incorporating the Bill into a new Part 4A of the Family Law Act 1996, extending the time limit for nullity petitions in cases of forced marriage, and putting forced marriage guidance on a statutory footing. Comments on the Bill and the possible changes are invited from individuals and organisations by 9 March 2007. Further details of the Bill and the consultation can be found at www.odysseustrust.org or obtained from the Odysseus Trust on telephone 020 7404 4712. For the full news story see March [2007] Fam Law.