Chapter 2 Key facts checklists
Nullity
- 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 apply for financial provision.
- 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.