Same-sex marriage: Timetable for the bill

Published on 26/07/2012 00:00

July 2012 - Consultation launched with bodies such as the Catholic Church and Church of Scotland to consider any additional safeguards for freedom of religion.

August 2012 - Opponents will step up their oppositon to the proposals with parishes across Scotland to be targeted in a funding drive.

Late 2012 - The draft bill to introduce same-sex marriage will be published by the SNP government and put out to consultation.

Early 2013 - An amendment likely to be secured with Home Office, which would change the UK Equality Act to give additional protections to individuals, such as a minister, which would protect them from carrying out same-sex marriages if they do not wish to.

September 2013 - Legislation could come before Holyrood which would work its way through the legislative process.

Mid 2014 - The act is likely to be passed by an overwhelming majority of MSPs at Holyrood after a free vote on the issue.

November 2014 - Historic referendum likely to be staged on Scottish independence.

Early 2015 - The way will be clear for the same-sex marriages to take place in Scotland after gaining Royal Assent to become law.