Civil Partnerships available to all

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Family/Divorce News

09 December, 2019

Rebecca_Comber
Rebecca Comber
Paralegal

Monday the 2nd December 2019 marked the first day on which mixed-sex couples could register their intent to enter into a civil partnership.

This decision was made by the government in order to address the 'imbalance' permitted to same sex-couples in allowing them the choice between a marriage or a civil partnership. A choice previously not available for same-sex couples.

Civil partnerships were introduced in 2004 under the Civil Partnership Act 2004 and are a legally recognised relationship between two people, over the age of 16, and which offer many of the same benefits as a conventional marriage. Whilst those in a civil partnership benefit from the same rights as married couples in terms of tax benefits, pensions and inheritance there are no religious connotations attached to civil partnerships thereby making them an often more desirable option for those who wish to legally recognise their relationship but who do not want to align themselves with a particular religion. A civil partnership must also take place in front of a Registrar as opposed to a recognised religious leader such as a Vicar.

The minimum notice period for a civil partnership is 28 days meaning that any mixed-sex couples who registered their interest on the first day, 2nd December 2019, could be set to conduct their civil partnerships as early as New Year's Eve.

For more information contact Rebecca Comber in our Family/Divorce department via email or phone on 01772 220171. Alternatively send any question through to Forbes Solicitors via our online Contact Form.

Learn more about our Family/Divorce department here

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