Case study

A case example can be seen in P v. R (Forced Marriage: Annulment) 2003.

A 20-year-old girl was forced into marriage because she feared violent abuse from her brother. Also, her parents claimed if she did not marry the intended spouse she would bring shame to her family. The victim feared she would be unable to return to the UK if the marriage did not go ahead. At the wedding ceremony the victim’s mother physically forced the victims head to nod when required and the victim signed the wedding certificate through fear. This case went to the High Court where it was held that the victim had not validly consented to the marriage; the consent she had given had been through duress, both physically and emotionally. It was said in this case that the proper course of action when a forced marriage occurs is for a ‘decrees of nullity’ to be sought under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973.

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