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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Alexandra Topping

Campaigners hail law raising age of marriage to 18 in England and Wales

The charity Karma Nirvana in Derby
The charity Karma Nirvana in Derby has protected girls as young as 11 from child marriage. Photograph: Fabio De Paola/The Guardian

Campaigners have hailed a new law raising the legal age of marriage in England and Wales as a significant milestone in child protection.

The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act comes into force on Monday following a five-year campaign and will prevent 16- and 17-year-olds from marrying or entering a civil partnership, even if they have parental consent.

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