Marriage and civil partnership: prescribing Humanist Society Scotland

Equality impact assessment (EQIA) relating to Humanist Society Scotland's authority to solemnise and register civil partnerships.


Equality Impact Assessment - Results: Prescribing Humanist Society Scotland ("HSS") so all of its celebrants are automatically authorised to solemnise marriage and register civil partnership, by virtue of HSS being prescribed.

Title of Policy

Prescribing Humanist Society Scotland (" HSS") so all of its celebrants are automatically authorised to solemnise marriage and register civil partnership, by virtue of HSS being prescribed.

Summary of aims and desired outcomes of Policy

The aim is to prescribe HSS so all of its celebrants are automatically authorised to solemnise marriage and register civil partnership, by virtue of HSS being prescribed.

This means HSS will become "self-policing" when it comes to its celebrants following legislative and other requirements in relation to solemnising marriage and registering civil partnership.

HSS celebrants are currently registered individually by the Registrar General to solemnise marriage and register civil partnership.

Directorate: Division: team

Justice: Civil Law and Legal System: Family and Property

Executive summary

As above.

Background

Celebrants can be authorised to solemnise marriage or register civil partnership in a variety of ways. HSS have asked to be prescribed by SSI, so all its celebrants are authorised automatically to solemnise marriage and register civil partnership.

The Scope of the EQIA

Minimal, given that HSS celebrants are currently registered by the Registrar General to solemnise marriage and register civil partnership.

Key Findings

Prescribing HSS leads to small equality benefits in relation to religion and belief and sexual orientation.

Recommendations and Conclusion

HSS should be prescribed, so long as they meet the requirements expected of bodies that are prescribed to solemnise marriage and register civil partnership.

Contact

Email: Family and Property Law Team

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