Landmark High Court challenge to legally recognise humanist weddings

Six couples are taking a landmark challenge to the High Court next week to recognise the legal legitimacy of humanist weddings in England and Wales.

Currently, humanists must have a civil ceremony as well for their marriages to be recognised.

The law differs in Scotland and Northern Ireland, where humanists ceremonies have legal recognition.

The couples claim the current system discriminates against them due to their humanist beliefs.

Currently humanists need to be married by a registrar as well as a celebrant (Unsplash)

The head of Humanists UK, Andrew Copson said: "Couples who have humanist weddings see that day as the epitome of their love and commitment to each other, and all they want is the same legal recognition for that as is given to every religious person in our country."

"We have tried for decades to address this glaring double standard. Government has dragged its heels and that's why it's been left to these couples to bring this case."

At the moment non-religious ceremonies must be carried out by a registrar to be binding.

If the challenge succeeds humanist celebrants will be able to officiate weddings in the same capacity as a priest or a vicar.

The challenge will be heard on July 8 of this year.