Getting married on tier 4?

Hi all,

I am asking this on behalf of a friend. Can someone on a Tier 4 student visa get married legally in the UK to a British citizen with the following circumstances:

He is a funded PhD student and have leave to remain until 2-3 years. Ideally, they would like to get married and not apply for any new leave just now but do it after he has finished the course - which is a few years in future. During that time, they'd live together, etc.

The spouse-to-be is British and has a decent £30k+/annum job so that should'nt be an issue either.

My question is:

- Can they legally register their marriage in the UK (an immigration advisor has suggested that they go and do it abroad) as if he does register / notify. He will be reported to the immigration authorities, etc who will deport him. Is this true?
- He will not be applying for switch/further leave to remain based on this marriage straight away (not until a few years) as he has a valid leave as a student and wants to finish his course first.
- Once they register it, will he able to switch to a spouse visa after he finishes his Tier 4?

The trouble is that he cannot go back to his country just now and apply for a switch as his scholarship will be forfieted so he wants to finish the course first and then switch / extend.

Are there any other contraints that the pair should be aware of in this case?

Many thanks in advance,
S

The 'solicitor' has given poor advice. Why on earth would he be deported for marrying in the UK while on a valid visa! He can marry here and switch to a spouse visa when he's ready by applying on form FLR(M).