• Nullity is a way of ending marriages and civil partnerships.

• Once annulled, the marriage or civil partnership is treated as if it had not occurred.

• English law distinguishes between void marriages/civil partnerships and voidable ones.

• Void means the marriage/partnership was never a valid one. There is no need for a decree although the parties may apply for one if they wish to obtain a financial, pension, or property order.

• Voidable means that the marriage/partnership remains a valid one until the parties obtain a decree to annul it. It becomes void after the decree.

• The law of nullity in relation to marriages is set out in the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973.

• The law in relation to civil partnerships is set out in the Civil Partnership Act 2004.

• A non-marriage resembles a marriage but has no legal consequences.