Call us 0333 370 4333
24/09/18

Forced Marriages | Kangs Criminal Defence Solicitors

Share

This year a thirty year old businessman from Cardiff became the first person in the UK to be jailed under the forced marriage laws introduced in 2014.

As it is likely that more prosecutions will follow, Sukhdip Randhawa of Kangs Solicitors takes a look at the law and the penalties that can be imposed for breaching them.

What Is A Forced Marriage? | Kangs Forced Marriage Advisory Team

A forced marriage is a marriage in which one or both spouses do not consent to the marriage, or when consent is obtained under duress which can include physical, sexual, psychological, financial and emotional pressures.

The Legislation | Kangs Criminal Defence Team

  • The legislation, which came into force on the 16th June 2014 in England and Wales, is part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 which criminalises the use of violence, threats, deception or any other form of coercion for the purpose of forcing any person into marriage, or into leaving the UK with the intention of forcing that person to marry.
  • In 2017, in order to encourage more prosecutions, the Government introduced lifelong anonymity for victims of forced marriages, encouraging more victims to come forward.
  • The Forced Marriage Civil Protection Act 2007 provides for victims, or those at risk, to apply for a Protection Order under civil legislation in the family Courts, any breach of which is a criminal offence attracting a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
  • The maximum penalty for the offence of Forced Marriage is seven years imprisonment.
  • The Government has also encouraged all enforcement agents to pursue perpetrators in all countries where a UK national is involved.

How Can We Help? | Kangs National Forced Marriage Solicitors

Any allegation relating to forced marriage is very serious and it is crucial that expert legal advice is sought immediately.

Kangs Solicitors provides a team of experienced Solicitors accustomed to dealing with all aspects of abuse and sexual allegations on a daily basis throughout the country.

Who Can I Contact? | Kangs Criminal Defence Solicitors

Arrangements can be made to meet at our offices in Birmingham, London or Manchester.

Please feel free to contact our crime team through any of the following who will be happy to speak to you and guide you:

Sukhdip Randhawa
srandhawa@kangssolicitors.co.uk
0121 449 9888 | 020 7936 6396 | 07989 521 210 (24hr Emergency Number)

John Veale
jveale@kangssolicitors.co.uk
020 7936 6396 | 0121 449 9888 | 07989 521 210 (24hr Emergency Number)

News insights, Serious Fraud, Services
A former Labour MP, Jared O’Mara, has received an immediate custodial sentence of four years having been found guilty, following his trial, of six counts of fraud relating to false expenses claims for work that he never carried out in respect of jobs that did not even exist. For further Press details please follow the […]
07/03/23
Criminal Litigation, News insights, Services
Kangs Solicitors has recently successfully defended a client facing an allegation of assault occasioning actual bodily harm arising from an incident forced upon him whilst he was simply conducting his  business, running a restaurant in London’s West End, when confronted with an unsavoury situation. Kangs Solicitors was instructed from the onset attending the interview under caution at Charing […]
06/03/23
Insolvency, News insights, Services
Kangs Solicitors has been instructed to defend claims against our client alleging breaches of Section 212 and 213 of the Insolvency Act 1986. The claims are being brought by the joint liquidators of our client’s company on the basis that our client allegedly knew that he and his company were participating in ‘Missing Trader Intra- Community’ Fraud’ […]
01/03/23

Get in touch

Need legal assistance? Contact our experienced team for prompt and professional support.
Your privacy is important to us and all details you share will be kept confidential.
Old map of Birmingham