Register Our Marriage campaign: Pioneering for equality for faith marriages

Jerry Garvey sat down with Siddique Patel to discuss the Register Our Marriage campaign, which encourages couples to legally register their faith marriages.

Founded by Aina Khan OBE in 2014, the Register Our Marriage campaign is pioneering for equality for all religious marriages in England and Wales.

With such rich diversity in cultures and faith across England and Wales, the Marriage Act 1949, currently granting the ability to register marriages for just three religions (Anglicans, Jews and Quakers), is outdated and no longer fit for purpose.

This two-pronged campaign is focused on raising awareness for the lack of legal protection for unregistered faith marriages, and, reforming the Marriage Act 1949 so that all religious marriages are legally registered to protect the family unit.

Speakers

Siddique Patel, solicitor at Shoosmiths LLP

Siddique is a family lawyer at Shoosmiths LLP in Leeds. As well as conducting all areas of matrimonial work, he specialises in Islamic family law and is one of the few qualified solicitors in the country who is credibly able to advise couples on Islamic marriage and divorce (Talaq).

Through his in-depth knowledge of the workings of Shariah Councils and the cultural needs and sensitivities encountered by clients, Siddique resolves issues relating to both religious and civil divorce elements.

Due to the nature of Islamic family law, Siddique acts for clients from across the UK and overseas. He is the deputy-director of the Register Our Marriage campaign.

Jerry Garvey, membership development executive at the Law Society

Jerry is a membership development executive at the Law Society. He supports and promotes the interests of BAME members in the diversity and inclusion team.