Overview

For over two centuries Parliament has been making and changing the laws concerning marriage, divorce and sexuality

Laws concerning the marriage ceremony itself were radically changed in the early 19th century

Parliament has made fundamental changes in the law relating to women's property and the treatment of children

Important 20th century reforms addressed issues of legitimacy and introduced procedures for adoption

Legal reforms in the 19th century led to divorces being granted in court rather than by an Act of Parliament, as had previously been the case

In the 19th century changes to the law were made concerning a mother's right to custody of her children and to domestic violence

During the early 20th century new legislation made obtaining a divorce easier

In the mid-20th century the grounds upon which a divorce could be granted were extended beyond adultery

Important laws for the regulation of sexual behaviour were made in the 1860s and 1880s

By the mid 20th century Parliament accepted a change in the public mood concerning laws relating to sexuality