Forced Marriage

Unlike arranged marriages, a forced marriage is very serious and should not be dismissed as a cultural difference.

If you believe you are being forced into an unwanted marriage (or you know someone who is) then you should speak to a solicitor and the police immediately. A forced marriage is when one or both parties do not consent to the marriage or are pressured into a marriage, usually by their immediate or extended family. This is a breach of your human rights and can include being physically threatened or forced, emotionally pressured, or being subject to psychological abuse.

How to Know If Someone Is Being Forced into a Marriage?

Some of the signs to look out for in someone being forced into a marriage are:

  • Withdrawing from education, such as not returning after school holidays
  • Depression and self-harm
  • Excessively strict parents
  • Not being allowed outside unsupervised

What If I’m Accused of Forcing Someone into a Marriage?

If you have been accused of an arranging or participating in a forced marriage, and are facing either criminal or civil charges, then you will need to engage in a specialist family law solicitor. We will help you to fight your side and protect you against accusations, to the best of our ability.

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What Can I Do If I or Someone Else Is Being Forced into a Marriage?

In cases of forced marriage, whether this has already happened or you believe it will, there is something that you can do. A Forced Marriage Protection Order is designed for these cases, and is arranged in each case to match the individual’s specific needs.

Our specialist family solicitors at Higgins Miller are here to provide confidential, legal advice and support during this process.

A Forced Marriage Protection Order can include any of the following orders:

  • Handing over passports
  • Preventing the forced marriage
  • Stopping the intimidation and violence
  • Preventing someone from being taken abroad
  • Revealing the whereabouts of someone

You can apply for a protection order yourself or on behalf of someone else, with their permission, but if you are a child then you will need to have a guardian or representative do this for you. Our solicitors are friendly and approachable, and they have years of experience representing vulnerable clients. There is no fee from the family court for submitting an application, and you can do this at the same time as criminal proceedings are taking place. We encourage you to arrange for this protection order as soon as possible and, if necessary, we can help you obtain an emergency order so that it may be put in place immediately.

You may also qualify for Legal Aid to help pay your solicitor fees. To find out more, please check if you can get Legal Aid before you contact Higgins Miller so that you are fully aware of all the restrictions that may apply.

Check if you can get legal aid – GOV.UK

To arrange to meet with one of our solicitors please contact us on 0161 429 7251 or email [email protected]

We also operate an out of hours service to allow you to contact us in case of an emergency. Our out of hours number is 07837124732.

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