09/06/2026
To recap, the Government has already confirmed that the law WILL shift from a system based on the regulation of buildings to regulation of the officiant responsible for the ceremony. It has also committed to “removing the difference in treatment of humanists”, which we take to mean that humanist celebrants authorised by Humanists UK will be able to legally marry couples (as they do in Scotland and Northern Ireland).
This upcoming consultation -released by 16th July 2026 at the latest is a crucial part of the process for ensuring independent celebrants are included too. We must make sure that ALL couples can be served by the reformed marriage law - or we risk replacing one form of discrimination with another.
Watch this space for more news as we have it…