Define: Polygamous Marriage

Polygamous marriage is a marital arrangement in which an individual is married to multiple spouses simultaneously. Unlike monogamous marriages, which involve only one spouse, polygamous marriages can involve two or more spouses of any gender combination. Polygamous marriages can take various forms, including polygyny, where a man has multiple wives, or polyandry, where a woman has multiple husbands. Polygamous marriages have been practiced in various cultures and societies throughout history, often for cultural, religious, or economic reasons. However, polygamous marriage is illegal in many countries, and the legal recognition and regulation of such unions vary widely around the world. Issues related to inheritance, property rights, and child custody can be complex in polygamous marriages due to the involvement of multiple spouses.

On the whole, UK law does not permit polygamous marriage (see: Marriage), where either party is considered to be married already. Such marriages are considered void (see: Void Marriage).

However, many states do permit polygamy, and it is part of their culture. There are cases where UK courts will accept a person as being married, even polygamously, where both partners were domiciled outside the UK at the time of the marriage (see: Domicile). Such a marriage will be ‘converted’ to a monogamous marriage on taking up residence in the UK.

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This glossary post was last updated: 29th March 2024.