Lesson 2 - FL PDF

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LESSON 2 MARRIAGE AND MARRIAGE PERFORMANCE: This lesson refers, mainly, to the Spanish CC instead of since the State has exclusive competence over of (sec. 149.1 SC). Despite the exclusive competence over of of the Spanish legislator, the Catalan legislator may define some very specific items in thi...

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LESSON&2&–&MARRIAGE&AND&MARRIAGE&PERFORMANCE:& & This% lesson% refers,% mainly,% to% the% Spanish% CC% instead% of% CCC,% since% the% State% has% exclusive% competence% over% “forms% of% marriage”% (sec.% 149.1.8% SC).% Despite% the% exclusive& competence& over& “forms& of& marriage”& of& the& Spanish& legislator,& the% Catalan% legislator% may% define% some% very%specific%items%in%this%topic.%% % 1.&THE&LEGAL&RELEVANCE&OF&MARRIAGE:& Marriage& as& an& act:%the%formal%and%reciprocal%giving%of%consent%aimed%at%establishing%a%longlasting%community%of%life.% • Consent% in%marriage%is%so%important,%that% it%would% have%very% important%consequences%in% the% development% of% marriage.% It% would% lead% to% very% specific% kind% of% marriages,% it% might% lead%to%null%and%void%marriages…%% Marriage&as&a&relationship:%the%rights%and%duties%of%the%spouses%(sec.%231-2.2%CCC).% Marriage& as& a& legally& protected& institution:% the%protection%of%marriage%vis-à-vis%other%family% arrangements%and%its%scope%(sec.%32%SC,%Ctc%222/1992,%11th%Dec.,%sec.%231-2%and%ff.%CCC,%sec.%44% and%ff.%CC).%% % 2.&MARRIAGE&SYSTEMS:& Mandatory& civil& marriage:% one% single% form% of% legally% recognized% marriage.% Only% the% civil% marriage%is%allowed.%In%this%case,%only%the%civil%marriage%is%recognized.%So%if%there’s%the%will%to% make% it% religiously,% it% depends% on% the% privacy% of% the% parties,% but% only& the& civil& marriage& has& legal&effects.&(France,%Germany,%Belgium,%Netherlands,%Switzerland).%& Systems&accommodating&civil&and&religious&marriage:& • Dual&system&with&2&marriage&types&(civil&and&religious):&& o Subsidiary& legal& marriage& (Spain,& until& 1978):% until%1978,% in%Spain% we% had%religious% marriages,%unless%one%could%prove%he% didn’t%profess%the%state%religion%(Catholicism),% may% be% because%he% was% Muslim.%Then,% in% these% cases,% civil% marriage% appeared% as%a% subsidiary%option%for%the%parties.%% o Optional&civil&marriage%(Italy,%Portugal):%parties%may%opt%to%perform%civil%marriage%or,% it% they% meet% the% required% conditions,% religious% marriage.% Here,% religious% marriages% create%religious&effects.%% • One& single& marriage& type% to% be% performed% in% religious% or% civil% form% (UK,% USA,% Canada,% Spain).%In%this%case,%only%one%way%of%marriage%is%accepted:%civil%marriage,%despite%you%can% choose%the%form%in%which%the%marriage%is%done.%So%if%we%marry%in%a%religious%form,%it%will% continue%being%a%civil%form.%à%Religious&marriages&have&civil&effects&in&Spain.&% % 3.&THE&RIGHT&TO&MARRY:& Marriage%as%a%fundamental%right.%Sec.&12&ECHR:%“Men%and%women%of%marriagable)age)have%the% right%to%marry%and%to%found%a%family,%according)to)the)national)laws)governing%the%exercise%of% this%right”.% • This%is%a%very%brought%article,%since%according%to%it,%every%country%can%decide%which%would% be%the%minimum%age%to%get%married.%There%would%be%differenced%between%States.%% • This%article%doesn’t%exclude%same-sex%marriages.%% Sec.&32&SC:& 1.%El%hombre%y%la%mujer%tienen%derecho%a%contraer%matrimonio%con%plena%igualdad%jurídica.% 2.% La% ley% regulará% las% formas% de% matrimonio,% la% edad% y% capacidad% para% contraerlo,% los% derechos%y%deberes%de%los%cónyuges,%las%causas%de%separación%y%disolución%y%sus%efectos.%

Sec.&44&CC:&& El%hombre%y%la%mujer%tienen%derecho%a%contraer%matrimonio%conforme%a%las%disposiciones%de% este%Código.% El% matrimonio% tendrá% los% mismos% requisitos% y% efectos% cuando% ambos% contrayentes% sean% del% mismo%o%de%diferente%sexo.%à%this&second&part&added&in&2005.%% % 3.1&“Ius&Connubii”:& The%right%to%marry%is%needed%to%be%respected%in%a%máximum%scope,%so%there’s%made%a%strong% presumption%in%order%to%make%able%marriages%between%2%people,%according%to%which%there’s%a% presumption%of%capacity%to%get%married.% We%are%speaking%of%a%presumption%of%capacity%coming%from%the%Roman%Law.% The%first%time%Ius%Connubii%appeared%was%in%the%Order%General%Board%of%Registers%and%Notaries% –DGRN-%1%Dec.%1978):%% • “Even% if% two% people% aren’t% able% to% be% free% in% other% aspects% of% life,% 2% people% with% down% syndrome%actually%know%what%does%marriage%mean,%so%they%can%marry%without%any%kind%of% restriction”.%% & 4.&MARRIAGE&IN&SPAIN:&SOME&RECENT&DATA:&“The&crisis&of&marriage”:&& Higher%number%of%non-matrimonial&families%(lack%of%reliable%data%à%%evidences).% The%number%of%children&born&out&of&wedlock%is%increasing%(2014):% • SP:21’7%(1/5children).% • CAT:43%(+2/5children).%% The% number% of% civil& marriages% is% already% higher% than% the% number% of% religious% ones% (in% Catalonia,%Catholic%marriage%has%decreased%progressively%in%a%10%).% • SP% (1st% sem.% 2014):% 18.432% Catholic% marriages% =% 37%% (366% other% religions);% 49.618% civil% marriages.% • CAT% (1st% sem.% 2014):% 1665% Catholic% marriages% =% 15%% (62% other% religions);% 10.427% Civil% marriages.%% Same-sex& marriage%suffered%a%high%increase%in%2005%and%subsequent%years%but%it%is%stabilized% now,% being% Catalonia% the% autonomous% community% where% it% is% more% performedà2,6%% of% the% total%of%marriages%performed%in%Spain%(2015).%% % 5.&THE&LEGAL&PROTECTION&OF&FAMILIES:&SAME-SEX&MARRIAGE:&& Sec.&32.1&SC:%Men%and%women%have%the%right%to%marry%with%full%legal%equality.% • Brought%article,%which%made%possible%to%reform%the%CC%without%modifying%the%SC.%% Sec.& 44& CC& (Act& 13/2005):% Men% and% women% have% the% right% to% marry% in% accordance% to% the% provisions% of% this% Code.% Marriage& will& have& the& same& requirements& and& effects& when& both& parties&are&of&the&same&or&of&different&sex.%% & 5.1&Same-sex&marriage&before&the&Constitutional&Court&(CCt&ruling&198/2012,&6th&Nov.):&& Institutional&guarantee&of&marriage:&& • The%constituent%legislators%didn’t%exclude%same-sex%marriage.% • The%Spanish%Constitution%allows%an%evolutive%interpretation,%shaped%by%legal%culture.% • Essential% traits% of% marriage% are:% equality% between% spouses;% freedom% to% enter% into;% expression%of%the%will%in%legal%form.% • Acceptance%of%same-sex%marriage%in%our%legal%culture.%% • Marriage%remains%recognizable%as%institution.%% %

Essential&content&of&the&right&to&marry:& • Right%to%marry%includes%the%freedom%not%to%marry,%and%it%remains%preserved.% • Content% of% the% right% is% not% altered,% but% only% the% circumstances% in% which% it% can% be% exercised.%% • Therefore,% admission% of% same-sex% marriage% does% not% reduce% the% freedom% to% conclude% heterosexual%marriage.%% % 5.2&Same-sex&marriage&in&the&world:&& XXI& Century,& countries& approving& same-sex& marriage:& The% Netherlands% (2001);% Belgium% (2003);%Canada%and%Spain%(2005);%Norway%and%Sweden%(2009)..%Argentina%(2010),%Uruguay%and% France%(2013),%UK%(2014),%USA%and%Mexico%(2015)…%% Lack&of&a&common&trend&in&the&EU:%ECtHR%is%very%respectful%towards%the%regim%of%appreciation% of% Member% States% in% this% topic,% as% long% as% same% sex% couples% are% guaranteed% an% alternative% regime:%sec.%8%ECHR%does%not%obligate%the%MS%to%guarantee%same-sex%marriage:%% • Debate&-& Group&of&deputes&of&PP:%it’s%ok%that%a%member%state%doesn’t%recognize%same-sex% marriages,% but% member% states% have% to% grant% at% least% rights% to% same-sex% couples:% they% don’t%need%to%be%married%to%have%recognized%some%rights.% • Schalk& and& Kopf& v.% Austria,% 24% June% 2010:% Austria% won% the% case% because% despite% there% weren’t%allowed%same-sex%marriages,%same-sex%couples%were%regulated%and%are%subject%to% some%rights.% "Obergefell&et&al.&v.&Hodges"&case,&decided&by&the&US&Supr.&Ct.&last&June:%in%the%US%–%common% law-%same-sex%marriages%were%approved%by%a%Supreme%Court%decision,%and%not%by%a%law.%Many% States%recognized%s-s%marriages,%but%not%all%of%the,%Thus,%people%travelled%from%one%state%to%an% other%so%they%could%get%married%in%the%states%s-s%marriages%were%allowed.%Nevertheless,%when% these%couples%were%back%to%their%home%state,%they%didn’t% see%recognized%their% rights%by%their% own%state,%since% it%didn’t% approved% s-s%marriages.%Final%part% of%the%SC%decision,%which%can%be% critically%analysed:%% • "No% union% is% more% profound% than% marriage,% for% it% embodies% the% highest% ideals% of% love,% fidelity,% devotion,% sacrifice,% and% family.% In% forming% a% marital% union,% two% people% become% something% greater% than% once% they% were.% As% some% of% the% petitioners% in% these% cases% demonstrate,% marriage% embodies% a% love% that% may% endure% even% past% death.% It% would% misunderstand% these%men% and% women% to%say% they% disrespect%the%idea% of%marriage.% Their% plea%is%that%they%dorespect%it,%respect%it%so%deeply%that%they%seek%to%find%itsfulfillment%for% themselves.%Their%hope%is%not%to%be%condemned%to%live%in%loneliness,%excluded%from%one%of% civilization’s% oldest% institutions.% They% ask% for% equal% dignity% in% the% eyes% of% the% law.% The% Constitution%grants%them%that%right”.%% & 6.&THE&SPANISH&MARRIAGE&SYSTEM:& A%diversity&of&“Forms%of%marriage%performace”%which%bring%about%the%same& civil&effects&(sec.% 49%CC):%% • Performance%in%civil%form%(sec.%51-58%CC):% o Available%to%any%person%wishing%to%perform%marriage%under%Spanish%law.% o Consent% to% be% given% before% a% judge,% legal% Clerk% (secretario% judicial)*,%a% city% officer,% a% notary*%or%another%public%officer%as%provided%by%law.% • Performance%in%religious%form%(sec.%59-60%CC):% o Consent% to% be% given% in% the% form% provided% by% a% registered& religious% denomination,% within%the%terms%agreed%with%the%State%or%authorized%by%State%law%or%with%“well-known% popularity”*% o Civil%effects%from%the%time%of%its%performance.% o Full%recognition%of%the%civil%effects%(3rd%parties)%from%its%registration%in%the%Civil%Registry.%%

*Since% Act% 15/2015,% on% non-contencious% proceedings,% legal% clerks% and% notaries% can% also% performance% the% marriage.% This% Act% also% applies% to% “well-known% popularity”.% % à% The% whole% content%of%this% Act%15/2015% isn’t%in%force%yet,%so% there%are%some%modifications%in% forcé%since% 2015,% and% others% that% won’t% apply% untill% 2017,% because% of% Administartive% and% burocratic% troubles.%% % 6.1&Admitted&religious&forms:& Catholic%(sec.%16.3%SC)%à%Agreements%with%the%Holy%See%(1979).% Islamic,%Israelite%and%Evangelical%à%cooperation%agreements%(1992).%% à%Marriage%under%these%forms%has%civil%effects.% The%Act%15/2015%has%added%that%any%religion%with%popularity%can%celebrate%marriage%and%have% civil% effects% à% as%longs% as% “well-known& support”& in% Spain% can% be% proved.% Despite% orthodox,% budism,%Mormon%marriages%don’t%have%enough%support%today%in%Spain.%% % 7.&CAPACITY&TO&MARRY:&& Sec.&45&CC:%“There%shall%be%no%marriage%without%matrimonial)consent”.& Sec.&56&CC:&“Persons%wishing%to%marry%must%previously%evidence,%in%an%administrative%procedure% conducted% in% accordance% with% the% Civil% Registry% legislation,% that% they% meet% the% capacity) requirements)or%the%lack%of%prohibitions%for%marriage%or%dispensation*%set%forth%in%this%Code.%If% either%of%the%prospective%spouses%should%be% affected%by%mental%deficiencies%or%anomalies,%the% legal% clerk,% notary,% person% in% charge% of% the% Civil% Registry% or% public% officer% in% charge% of% the% marriage%file*%shall%require%a%medical)opinion)on%his%ability%to%give%consent”.%à%if%the%authority% is%not%convinced,%it%will%ask%for%a%medical%opinion.%% *Act/2015,%on%non-contentious%proceedings:%this%part%enters%into%force%the%30th%June%2017.%% 1. 2. 3. 4.

Nature%and%scope%of%the%matrimonial%consent.% The%ascertainment%of%capacity%in%an%administrative%proceeding.% Relationship%with%general%legal%capacity.% Consequences%of%marriage%performance%suffering%from%lack%of%capacity.%%

& 7.1&Prohibitions&and&dispensations&(Sec.&46&–&48&CC):& There%are%4%prohibitions,%which%can%be%Absolute%/%relative%prohibitions%to%marry:% 1. Age%à%absolute%prohibition%% 2. Previous%subsistent%marriage%à%absolute%prohibition% 3. Kinship%à%relative%prohibition% 4. Crime%à%relative%prohibition% Absolute&prohibition:%the%person%cannot%marry%anybody.% Relative&prohibition:%the%person%can%marry%but%cannot%marry%certain%people.%% % 7.1.1&AGE&(absolute&prohibition):&& There%has%been%a%reform,%so%the%age%required%in%Spain%is%the%majority%age%(18)%or%emancipation% (16).% Reform% made% after% demands% of% the% Committee% of% the% UN% and% the% European% Council.% Spain%is%finally%sided%with%other%State%Members%of%the%EU.%% • Emancipation%means%proving%that%you%have%enough%to%live.%% • The%possibility%of%getting%married%at%14%has%disappeared%in%Spain.% % & &

7.1.2&PREVIOUS&SUBSISTENT&MARRIAGE&(absolute&prohibition):&& The%subsistence%of%a%previous%marriage%bans%people%to%marry%another%person.%Since%bigamy%in% Spain%is%a%Crime%(sec.%217%Crim%Code).% This%limitation%affects%to:% • Not%dissolved%marriage;% • Dissolved%marriages,%if%dissolution%hasn’t%produced%effects%in%Spain.%% % 7.1.3&KINSHIP&(relative&prohibition):& People%cannot%marry%people%until%3rd%degree%(included)%such%as,%grandfather,%father…).%Cousins% can%marry%since%they%are%4th%collaterals.%% This%prohibition%includes%both%adopted%and%biological%relatives.%% The%3rd%Degree%can%be%dispensed,%so%we%have%to%ask%for&dispensation&to%a%Judge%for%that.%% % 7.1.4&CRIME&(absolute&prohibition):& We%are%in%front%of%a%lap%case,%occurring%in%such%a%strange%conditions.%We%speak%of%cases%were% persons%are%sentenced%as%authors%or%accomplices%in%the%murder%of%he%spouse%of%either%of%them.% (lover%and%the%judge%case).% Nonetheless,% this% relative% prohibition% can% be% dispensed% by% a% Judge.% (DISPENSATION& here% applies%too).%% (This%prohibition%is%based%on%the%Catholical%moral).%% % 7.2&The&consent&to&marry&and&its&pathologies:& 7.2.1&Lack&of&consent&(sec.&73.1&CC):& SIMULATION:%Both%parties%know%they%are%marrying%with%no%real%intention,%usually%to%get%other% benefits%(traditionally,%migration%benefits).%à%complot%of%both%parties.% MENTAL& RESERVATION:%as%simulation,%but%only%for%the%benefit%of%one%of%the%parties,%so%only% one%of%the%parties%is%acting%without%real%intention.%%% But%at%the%end,%both%simulation%and%mental%reservation%lead%to%the%same%result.%% Marriages&of&convenience&and%its%fighting%may%go%against%ius%connubii.%The%order%DGRN%31.%Jan% 2006%aimed%at%fighting%“white%marriages”%or%marriages%of%convenience%gives%guidelines%to%the% registrator% to% consider% whether% there’s% a% white% marriage% or% not,% such% as:% one% of% the% parties% doesn’t%know%the%national%language,%there’s%money%given%to%the%other%party…%% % 7.2.2&Vitiated&consent&(sec.&73.4,&73.5&CC):& In%these%cases,%we%have%consent%but%it’s%not%free.%% MISTAKE:& • In%identity:%such%as%marrying%the%twin%of%your%partner.%% • In% personal% qualities:% if% mistake% in% personal% qualities% is% proven,% marriage% would% become% null%and%void.%à%Parties%have%a%year%since%the%marriage%performance%to%prove%the%mistake% if%they%want%to%make%the%marriage%to%become%null%and%void.%% o In% this% case,% it%has%be%proved% that% there% are% relevant& circumstances& existing%during% the%marriage,%that%if%were%known%before,%probably%the%wedding%wouldn’t%have%been% celebrated.%Which%circumstances%are%relevant?% § Professional%circumstances%don’t%have%relevance%here.% § These% circumstances% have% to% be% known% by% the% party% involved% in% it,% such% as:% prostitution% in% the% past,% hiding% sterility% (so% if% the% sterile% party% actually% know% before% the% wedding% he% was% sterile,% the% marriage% can% be% considered% null% and%

void,% no% whether% the% party% didn’t% know% he% was% sterile),% drug% addictions,% alcoholism…%% These%circumstances%may%lead%to%a%divorce%or%nullity%and%voidance%of%the%marriage,%but%whilst% the%nullity%and%voidance%has%a%deadline%of%prescription%of%a%year%and%means%that%the%marriage% never% took% place,% if% for% these% circumstances% you% get% divorced,% then% it% would% mean% the% marriage,%despite%all%the%circumstances,%have%always%been%valid%and%has%created%all%civil%effects.%% COERCION:& GRAVE&FEAR&(MIEDO&INSUPERABLE):&& % 7.3&Void&marriage:& If% you% get% married% and% then% you% prove% your% consent% wasn’t% valid,% the% marriage% can% be% considered%null&and& void.&Same%happens%if%dispensation%is%needed%for%marrying%collaterals%or% lap% case% of% criminal% process,% but% it’s% not% asked% for.% à% If% we% marry%without% this% dispensation% and%it%was%needed,%then%in%the%future%marriage%can%become%null%and%void.%% Nullity& and& voidance& then& as& consequences& of& the& lack& of& dispensation,& lack& of& consent& or& capacity.&& Exception%where%some%marriages%that%could%be%null%and%void%can%become%valid:% • Later& dispensation:%before%marriage,%we%don’t% ask%for%dispensation,%may%be%because%we% didn’t%know%we%need%it,%and%after%marrying%we%ask%for%it%à%marriage%becomes%valid.% • Lack&of&age&/&mistake&/&coercion&/&grave&fear:&& o Age:%If%you%marry%being,%for%instance,%14,%being%16%and%if%a%year%of%marriage%has% passed%by,%the%marriage%can%become%valid.%% o Mistake:%if%you%discover%today%that%the%spouse%is%alcoholic%and%you%didn’t%know% it,%you%have%1%year%to% ask% for%nullity.%If% this% year%passes,% the% marriage% will% be% considered%valid,%like%you%didn’t%care%about%the%alcoholism%of%your%spouse.%% % 8.&FORMALITIES&OF&CIVIL&MARRIAGE&PERFORMANCE&(SEC.&51-65&CC)&3&PHASES:&& 8.1&Competence&to&authorize&the&record:& We%need%to%start%a%process:%in%which%we%have%to%ask%to%the%Authority%to%get%married.%This%first% step%hast%to%be%begin%in%one%of%the%towns%of%the%parties%involved%in%the%act%of%marrying.%%Who% has%competence%to%authorize%the%record%are:% 1. The%judge&in&charge&of&Civil&Registry&or&its&delegate.% 2. City& Mayor& or& a& councilor& by& delegation:% % since% the% Act% /% 2015% they% are% no% longer% competent%(from%2017%to%onwards).% 3. Diplomatic& or& consular& officer& in& charge& of& the& Civil& Register& abroad:% if% you% aren’t% a% Spanish%national%but%life%here,%and%the%other%party%is%Spanish.%% 4. Since%the%Act%15/2015%on%non-contentious%proceedings,%have%also%competence:%The%Legal& clerk&(secretario&judicial)&and&the&Notary.%% % 8.2&Administrative&proceeding:& In%this%step,%the%Authority%needs%to%make%sure%parties%has%capacity.%% Application:& intending% spouses% will% have% to% prove% their% capacity.% (That% they% accomplish% the% minimum% requirements).% à% application% by% the% intending% spouses% and% evidence% of% facts% justifying%capacity.% Hearing&/&public&announcement:&making%public%this%will%to%get%married%by%the%parties,%se%third% parties%may%have%something%to%say%against%the%marriage%(may%be%because%there%are%causes%of% nullity).% Edicts% in% % 25.000% citizens% à% 3 rd% party% needed%here.%%

Separate& hearing:& when% parties% are% suspicious% for% being% lack% of% consent.% Judge% will% try% to% identify%if%parties%are%sure%to%have%the%will%to%marry.%(ANHQV).%% Issuance& of& order& approving& or& denying& the& performance:& in% front% of% the% General% Board% of% Registry%if%the%marriage%has%been%authorized,%or%if%parties%have%won%the%appeal.% % 8.3&Wedding&ceremony:& In%this%3rd%and%last%step,%authorities&are%different:%% 1. Justice&of&Peace:%in%small%towns.% 2. City&Mayor&or&Councilor&by&delegation.&& 3. Legal& Clerks,% since% last% august% by% the% Act% 15/2015.% Before% the% act,% they% didn’t% have% competence.%And%the%same%happens%with%% 4. Notary& elected&by& the& parties& with& competence:%they%can’t%authorize%marriage%but%they% can%marry%people.%% 5. Diplomatic&or&consular&officer:%if%one%of%the%parties%isn’t%a%Spanish%national.%% Place:&ORDEN&DGRN&10.&JAN.&2013:%This%ceremony%has%to%be%done%in%one%of%the%towns%of%the% spouses.%But%since%2013,%marriage%can%take%place%where%the%parties%want%in%the%toen,%such%as% in% a%restaurant,%or%in% a%castle,%whether% this%is% authorized%by%the% city%hall.%(Before% 2013,%they% could% only% get% married% in% the% city% hall).% Nonetheless,% this% rule% doesn’t% apply% to% religious% marriages.%% SEC.&66&–&68&CC:%Personal%rights%and%duties%arising%from%marriage.%% • Art.&66.&The%spouses%are%equal%in%rights%and%duties.%% • Art.&67.&The%spouses%must%respect%and%assist%each%other%and%act%in%the%family%interest.%% • Art.&68.&The%spouses%are%obliged%to%live%together,%to%be%faithful%to%one%another%and%to%come% to%one%another’s’%aid.%They%must,%furthermore,%share%domestic%responsibilities%and%the%care% ...