The Civil Partnership Act
The Civil Partnership Act came into force on the 5 December 2005 enabling same sex couples to register a civil partnership. The significance of this legislation is that the same sex couples, after the registration and Civil Ceremony, become each others next of kin for inheritance purposes. The registration puts their relationship and their finances on the same footing as married couples.
In addition the Civil Partnership Act makes provision for the acquisition of parental responsibility for the child or children of civil partners a kin to the mechanism used for by the step parents after a marriage, either by agreement or by consent.
It will also allow a party the same status as a spouse in Adoption proceedings.
It is inevitable that, as with marriages, some Civil Partnerships will fail. The law facilitating Civil Partnerships also provides the means to terminate, or dissolve, that legal status. The principles and procedures are very similar to those involved in a divorce process.
Civil Partners will also enjoy similar financial rights and remedies as married couples, affording them a much higher level of protection and indeed justice in the difficult circumstances of a relationship failure.
This is an emerging area of the law in respect of which we have undertaken specialist training. We understand the importance to you of quality legal advice and support and we are well equipped to find the right solution for you as swiftly and as amicably as possible.
