Marriage void in the absence of a Gender Recognition Certificate (AP v JP)

Table of contents

• What are the practical implications of this case?
• What was the background?
• What did the court decide?

Article summary

Family analysis: In a case where the applicant had undergone gender reassignment surgery but had not obtained a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) by the date of the marriage, because same-sex marriage was not legal at the time of the marriage, it was void at its inception and the court did not have the necessary powers to make a declaration that it was a valid marriage. Lyndsey Sambrooks-Wright, barrister at Garden Court Chambers, considers the background to the case and its practical implications.