A Local Authority v X & Anor (Children)

Tape Transcription of Marten Walsh Cherer Ltd., 1st Floor, Quality House, 6-9 Quality Court, Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1HP Telephone No: 020 7067 2900. Fax No: 020 7831 6864

MISS E. RICHARDS, solicitor, appeared for the applicants. MISS V. MEACHIN of counsel appeared (through her guardian) for the respondent mother. MR N. COLE of counsel appeared for the child's guardian. ____________________

Section 11 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 provides, so far as is material, that:

(a) that it is not a valid marriage under the provisions of the Marriage Acts 1949 to 1986 (that is to say, where �

Note that that subsection contains an absolute statutory prohibition on any court making a declaration that a marriage was at its inception void, "whether under this Part or otherwise". It, therefore, absolutely forbids the making of a declaration, even in the so-called inherent jurisdiction of the High Court, to the effect that a marriage was at its inception void.