Adult forced-marriage offence
The offence can involve violence, threats or another form of coercion intended to cause a marriage without free and full consent. Separate provisions apply where a person lacks capacity to consent.
Under 18
The child offence concerns conduct intended to cause a child to enter a marriage before their eighteenth birthday, including non-binding traditional or customary marriages.
Civil protection
A Forced Marriage Protection Order is tailored civil protection for a person threatened with or already in a forced marriage. Breach without reasonable excuse can itself be a criminal offence.
Jurisdiction and legal advice
This page states the England and Wales position. Scotland, Northern Ireland and other countries require separate checking. Educational information is not case-specific legal advice.