By Aneeta Prem MBE
The Nottingham child-marriage case is a useful reminder of what changed in England and Wales in 2023. Since 27 February 2023, the minimum age for marriage and civil partnership has been 18. It is also a criminal offence to carry out conduct for the purpose of causing a child under 18 to enter a marriage, even where coercion is not proved.
That protection can extend to religious or traditional ceremonies that are not legally binding and, in qualifying cases, to conduct carried out overseas.
Why the Nottingham case matters
In May 2026, a husband and wife from Nottingham received suspended prison sentences after taking two 17-year-old boys to Pakistan for the purpose of arranging marriages. The Crown Prosecution Service said the defendants pleaded guilty to conduct intended to cause a child under 18 to enter a marriage.
The CPS said police were alerted after a referral from the young person's place of education. That detail is important. Schools and colleges may see warning signs before a child has the language or confidence to make a full disclosure.
The case also matters because the victims were boys. Forced marriage and child marriage can affect people of any sex. Safeguarding fails if professionals only look for the victim they expect to see.
What changed on 27 February 2023?
The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 raised the minimum legal age for marriage and civil partnership to 18 in England and Wales.
It also amended section 121 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. For children under 18, prosecutors do not have to prove violence, threats or another form of coercion. The offence can be committed by conduct carried out for the purpose of causing the child to enter a marriage.
For these purposes, marriage includes religious and civil ceremonies whether or not they are legally binding.
Overseas ceremonies are not automatically outside the law
The Nottingham case involved conduct in Pakistan. The CPS said the defendants had disregarded the protection of the law by taking the boys overseas to be married.
The safest way to state the law is not that every overseas act is automatically covered. Section 121 contains territorial rules. Broadly, the offence can apply where there is a sufficient connection with England and Wales, including circumstances involving presence, habitual residence or UK nationality as set out in the legislation.
The practical safeguarding message is still clear: taking a child abroad does not necessarily place the conduct beyond the reach of the law.
Why coercion should not be the child's burden
A child should not have to prove threats or violence before adults take the risk seriously. Children may comply because they believe they have no choice. They may fear rejection, shame, family conflict, loss of housing, immigration consequences or harm to siblings.
The 2023 change matters because it recognises the safeguarding problem before a child is required to demonstrate adult-style resistance.
Boys must not be invisible
The Nottingham case involved two teenage boys. Girls and young women remain at serious risk of forced marriage and related abuse, but boys and young men can also be controlled, pressured or sent abroad for marriage.
Safeguarding must be based on risk and freedom, not stereotypes.
What professionals should notice
No single sign proves that a child is at risk of marriage. A pattern may matter. Professionals should pay attention where a child:
- becomes anxious before overseas travel
- mentions a marriage, engagement, Nikah or proposal they do not appear free to refuse
- says family members are making decisions about their future
- becomes withdrawn from school or friends
- has their phone, documents, movement or relationships controlled
- talks about shame, obedience, reputation or consequences for refusing
- says they have agreed but appears frightened or unable to speak freely
Where there is a concern, professionals should follow safeguarding procedures and avoid actions that could increase risk, such as automatically contacting family members without considering whether they may be involved in the pressure.
Arranged marriage is not the same as forced marriage
A lawful arranged marriage between adults is different from forced marriage. The key questions are age, consent and freedom.
A child under 18 cannot be lawfully married in England and Wales. Causing a child to enter a marriage can also amount to a criminal offence even without proof of coercion.
Why this work matters to me
I co-founded Freedom Charity with Lord Toby Harris in 2009 because children and young people were being failed by silence, fear and misplaced cultural sensitivity. Forced marriage was too often treated as a private family matter. It is a safeguarding and human-rights issue.
Prevention still matters as much as prosecution. Children need to understand consent and coercion before a crisis. Teachers and professionals need the confidence to recognise warning signs and respond safely.
FAQs
What is the minimum age for marriage in England and Wales?
It is 18. Since 27 February 2023, 16 and 17-year-olds can no longer marry or enter a civil partnership in England and Wales, even with parental or judicial consent.
Does coercion have to be proved where the person is under 18?
No. The offence can apply to conduct carried out for the purpose of causing a child under 18 to enter a marriage, even where coercion is not proved.
Can the offence include a religious ceremony?
Yes. For section 121, marriage includes religious and civil ceremonies whether or not they are legally binding.
Can conduct overseas be covered?
Yes, in qualifying circumstances. Section 121 contains territorial rules linked to factors such as presence, habitual residence and UK nationality. The Nottingham case is one example of an overseas child-marriage prosecution.
Is forced marriage illegal across the UK?
Yes, but the legislation differs by jurisdiction. England and Wales use section 121 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014; Scotland uses section 122 of that Act; Northern Ireland has separate legislation.
About the author
Aneeta Prem MBE is an author, human-rights campaigner and co-founder of Freedom Charity with Lord Toby Harris. Her safeguarding work includes forced marriage, FGM, dishonour abuse, children's rights, education and prevention.
Primary sources
- Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022
- Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, section 121
- CPS: Overseas child marriage leads to Nottingham conviction
First published 16 May 2026. Substantively reviewed 21 August 2026.