Section 12: Power to shorten the waiting period, Civil Partnership Act 2004

If the Registrar General, on an application being made to him, is satisfied that there are compelling reasons because of the exceptional circumstances of the case for shortening the period of 28 days mentioned in section 11(b), he may shorten it to such period as he considers appropriate.

Regulations may make provision with respect to the making, and granting, of applications under subsection (1).

Regulations under subsection (2) may provide for—

the power conferred by subsection (1) to be exercised by a registration authority on behalf of the Registrar General in such classes of case as are prescribed by the regulations;

the making of an appeal to the Registrar General against a decision taken by a registration authority in accordance with regulations made by virtue of paragraph (a).

If a proposed civil partnership is referred to the Secretary of State under section 12A—

any application under subsection (1) is to be made to the Secretary of State; and

the power conferred by subsection (1) is exercisable by the Secretary of State.

If the Secretary of State grants an application made under subsection (1), the Secretary of State must give notice of the grant of the application to—

the applicant,

the registration authority to which notice of the proposed civil partnership was given, and

if different, the registration authority responsible for issuing the civil partnership schedule under section 14(1) in relation to the proposed civil partnership.

Regulations under subsection (2) do not apply to applications made to the Secretary of State in accordance with subsection (4).

The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision with respect to the making, and granting, of applications made in accordance with subsection (4).

The Secretary of State must consult the Registrar General before making regulations under subsection (7).

Section 12: Power to shorten the waiting period

Discussed in

About this text