... and the degree of private freedoms permitted to exercise personal morality. To comprehend the public context of marriage within society, it is necessary to explore State intervention and legal regulation of marriage. This essay will focus on the State's recognition of a marriage, analysing the definition, prescribed formalities, permissible ceremonies and prohibited limits of marriage. The regulation of these issues will be evaluated in light of a range of beliefs and practices within multi-cultural society. Marriage will be considered in order to effectively assess, if this is purely a sphere of individual discretion, or an institution which necessitates a role for the state. Marriage, a fundamental right is enshrined in Article 12 of the European Convention of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Article 12 declares that "men and woman of marriageable age have the right to marry and found a family.2" This is subject to the law of national states ...

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