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Research and analysis

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) initially gave a ‘red - not fit for purpose’ rating to the options assessment for the policy proposal from Ministry of Justice.

Our ratings are advisory and do not reflect the merits of the policy itself.

On 29 July 2026, Ministry of Justice submitted a revised options assessment to the RPC to address our red rating. Following our independent scrutiny, the RPC issued a green rating on 26 August 2026. This means that we now consider their assessment to be ‘fit for purpose’ based on the quality of the evidence and analysis supporting the case for why regulation is necessary.

Updates to this page

Published 17 August 2026
Last updated 28 August 2026 Show all updates
  1. Added new RPC opinion following a revised submission from Ministry of Justice

  2. First published.

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