Bigamous marriage is a form of marriage that occurs when one or both parties are already married to someone else at the time of the second marriage. It is illegal in most countries, including the UK, and can have serious legal consequences.
In the UK, bigamous marriages are void, which means they are not legally recognized and have no legal effect. This means that the second marriage is not valid, and any rights or benefits that would normally come with marriage (such as inheritance or pension rights) are not granted.
In addition to being void, bigamous marriages are also considered to be a criminal offense under the UK’s Matrimonial Causes Act 1973. It is a criminal offense for a person to knowingly enter into a marriage when they are already married to someone else. The maximum penalty for bigamy is seven years in prison.
It’s worth noting that some people may unwittingly enter into a bigamous marriage, for example, if they were not aware that their previous marriage had not been legally dissolved. However, ignorance of the law is not a defence, and individuals can still face legal consequences for bigamy even if they were not aware that they were breaking the law.
Overall, bigamous marriage is a serious offense in the UK and can have serious legal consequences. It is important for individuals to ensure that they are legally eligible to marry before entering into a marriage to avoid any legal complications or penalties.
