Does anyone know anything about polygamy/bigamy law please?

[anorak]

I am writing a story involving a family living in the UK in a polygamous family.

I am unsure as to the law and would appreciate some advice. Is is actually illegal for a man to live with more than one woman as if they were married, when in fact they have not been married in British law but only in their own commune's ceremony?

anorak
The answer is that a man can live with as many women as he likes, but can only be married (i.e. in a ceremony recognised by the law of this country) to one woman.

we had one in court
indian guy.

if he only got married in a hindu or islam ceremony he is doing nothing wrong, as they aren't recognised under uk law.

I believe the law is that if the man married more than one woman in his country of origin and then came to the UK, he can continue to live with his wives. It is illegal, however, to marry more than one person in the UK.

Thank you all very much.

So if the guy married the first wife under ordinary UK law but subsequent ones in a ceremony created by his religion they are not breaking the law.

That is what I wanted to know, thanks.