NORTHERN IRELAND EXECUTIVE

New Laws on Forced Marriage

Finance Minister Nigel Dodds announced today the introduction of new laws to protect against forced marriage. This means that the main provisions in the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 will come into force in Northern Ireland on 25 November 2008.

The Act allows for the making of a court order to protect those faced with forced marriage or those who have been forced into a marriage.

Welcoming the new laws, Mr Dodds said, “The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 allows a court to intervene to protect a person who is faced with forced marriage or has been forced into marriage.It marks a further expansion of the civil justice protective regime and will ensure that the courts have the necessary powers to provide effective, well targeted relief.”