On every occasion when notice of proposed civil partnership is given under section 8, the registration authority must decide whether or not each of the parties to the proposed civil partnership is an exempt person.
But this section does not apply if Schedule 3 applies to the proposed civil partnership.
In making a decision under subsection (1) about a party to a proposed civil partnership, a registration authority may rely on any advice given in relation to that decision by the Secretary of State.
In a case where—
the registration authority must decide that that party to the proposed civil partnership is not an exempt person.
If the registration authority decides that either of the parties is not an exempt person, or that both of the parties are not exempt persons, the registration authority must—
The registration authority must act in accordance with regulations when complying with the duty in subsection (5)(a) to refer a proposed civil partnership to the Secretary of State.
Regulations may, in particular, make provision about—
If the registration authority refers the proposed civil partnership to the Secretary of State, this Act has effect in relation to the proposed civil partnership subject to the modifications in Schedule 3A.
In this section—