52.—(1) Notwithstanding any statutory provision that conflicts with this subsection, a marriage may be solemnised only at a place and time chosen by the parties to the marriage with the agreement of the registered solemniser concerned and (if the registered solemniser is a registrar and the place chosen is not the office of a registrar) the approval of the place by F169[the Executive], and the question whether to give or withhold such an approval shall be determined by F169[the Executive] by reference to such matters as may be specified by the Minister.

(2) (a) Where a registrar who is a registered solemniser solemnises a marriage at a place other than the office of a registrar, a fee of such amount as F169[the Executive] may determine shall be paid by the parties to the marriage to the registrar.

  (b) Where travel or subsistence expenses are incurred by a registrar who is a registered solemniser in connection with the solemnisation of a marriage by him or her at a place other than his or her office, an amount in respect of the expenses, calculated by reference to a scale drawn up by F169[the Executive], shall be paid to the registrar by the parties to the marriage.

  (c) An amount payable under paragraph (a) or (b) may be recovered by the registrar concerned from the parties to the marriage concerned as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction.

F170[(2A) In this section a reference to a place means a place that is open to the public.]

(3) In this section a reference to a registered solemniser, in relation to a marriage which a person is temporarily authorised under section 57 to solemnise, includes a reference to that person.

F171[(4) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a marriage solemnised in the circumstances described in subparagraph (i) and (ii) of section 51(2)(c).]