RPC opinion: reforming weddings law in England and Wales
Our opinion of the quality of the evidence and analysis in the options assessment from Ministry of Justice.
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The government published a consultation seeking views on reforming weddings law in England and Wales on 16 July 2026.
The Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) gave a ‘red’ rating to an earlier options assessment for the policy proposal that was submitted by Ministry of Justice to the RPC on 13 May 2026.
We considered the options assessment to be ‘not fit for purpose’ based on our scrutiny of the evidence and analysis supporting the case for why regulation is necessary. Our rating is advisory and does not reflect the merits of the policy itself.
On 29 July 2026, Ministry of Justice submitted a revised options assessment to the RPC that seeks to address our red rating. This is currently being reviewed by the RPC and our opinion will be published for transparency in due course.