An Alternative Civil Code Proposal
A group of Ukrainian Members of Parliament have submitted an alternative draft of the Civil Code to the Verkhovna Rada. This version notably omits a controversial provision that would have lowered the legal marriage age to 14. The draft was initiated by a group of deputies including:
- Volodymyr Vatras
- Mykola Stefanchuk
- Ivan Kalaur
- Ihor Fris
- Oleksandr Kornienko
This alternative proposal is a direct response to the original draft law, registered as No. 14394 on January 22, 2026.
Previously, Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk stated that the proposal granting 14-year-olds the right to marry in cases of pregnancy or childbirth would be removed from the legislation. Such provisions, which allowed marriage from age 14, were actually in force in Ukraine from 2004 until 2012, when they were repealed from the Family Code under then-President Viktor Yanukovych.
Key Aspects of the New Draft Law
The original bill, No. 14394, had considered granting marriage rights to 14-year-olds specifically in connection with pregnancy or the birth of a child. However, the new alternative draft incorporates critical public feedback opposing any reduction of the marriage age. It also introduces proposals to prohibit divorce during a wife's pregnancy and until the child reaches one year of age.
This legislative proposal further defines the legal concept of marriage, outlines procedures for the state registration of marriage contracts, and details the registration of property rights for real estate. The new Civil Code draft thus aims to regulate crucial aspects of family law, addressing contemporary societal challenges.
The alternative Civil Code draft reflects shifting public attitudes and legal perspectives concerning the marriage age in Ukraine. The incorporation of public criticism suggests the deputies' intent to balance traditional values with modern societal standards. This bill could represent a significant step toward modernizing family legislation to better align with the realities of contemporary life. This debate occurs within a broader European context where the protection of minors is a paramount legal principle.