Civil Partnerships
Civil partnerships gives same sex couples the same legal rights and obligations as married couples.
Since December 21st 2005 same sex couples have been able to make a formal and legal commitment to each other, by registering their partnership under the Civil Partnership Act 2004.Registration involves serious duties and obligations, as well as important legal rights and protections, all of which are very similar to those relating to marriage.
In the event of a breakdown in the relationship, formal legal proceedings are necessary in the same way as divorce proceedings are needed to end a marriage, and indeed the process is very similar to divorce in that one of the parties files a petition with the court, requesting civil partnership dissolution.
As with marriage, a petition can only be issued after one year has passed since the civil partnership was entered into. As with divorce, the petitioner must prove that the civil partnership has irretrievably broken down.
If you require advice or assistance in this area please contact our family department.
