5A Section 29 amended (Licence authorizes but not obliges marriage celebrant to solemnize marriage)

• In section 29, insert as subsection (2):

  • “(2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1),—

    • “(a) no celebrant who is a minister of religion recognised by a religious body enumerated in Schedule 1, and no celebrant who is a person nominated to solemnize marriages by an approved organisation, is obliged to solemnize a marriage if solemnizing that marriage would contravene the religious beliefs of the religious body or the religious beliefs or philosophical or humanitarian convictions of the approved organisation; and

    • “(b) section 44(1) of the Human Rights Act 1993 must not be taken to mean that a person cannot refuse to supply facilities or services (including the solemnization of a marriage) in relation to a marriage if the marriage is one that is contrary to the person's beliefs relating to marriage.”