Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the regulations)

These Regulations provide a uniform system for the approval of premises in which civil marriage ceremonies and the formation of civil partnerships may take place. The previous regulations relating to approval of premises for the purposes of civil marriage ceremonies only, are revoked.

The Regulations relate to—

(a)

the procedure for the making of an application for a joint approval;

(b)

the consultation procedure following the making of an application for a joint approval;

(c)

the procedure for granting or refusing an application for a joint approval including the requirements which have to be satisfied for the grant of an approval;

(d)

the conditions which may be attached by the authority to the grant of a joint approval;

(e)

the procedure for renewing and revoking an approval;

(f)

the procedure for reviewing a decision to refuse an approval or to attach conditions to the grant of an approval;

(g)

the procedure for the keeping of registers of approved premises by the authority;

(h)

the issue of guidance by the Registrar General to supplement the provisions made by the Regulations;

(i)

the setting of fees for an application or renewal of a joint approval and for the attendance of a civil partnership registrar when two people sign a civil partnership schedule on approved premises;

(j)

the issue of notices by the authority to approval holders; and

(k)

revocations and transitional provisions.

These Regulations have minimal set-up cost, given that the approval process is to remain unaltered in any significant way from the previous system, and operating costs thereafter are recoverable.