Civil Partnership

The Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into force on the 5th December 2005.  This meant that for the first time in English Law same sex couples were able to have their relationships recognised by entering into a Civil Partnership.  Civil Partnership is a regime of registered partnership for same sex couples with most of the rights, responsibilities and other consequences of marriage.

In order to enter into a Civil Partnership both parties have to comply with certain requirements/formalities and we can provide advice on the necessary requirements.

Unfortunately, as most relationships, you may find yourself wishing to end your Civil Partnership and we can provide specialised legal advice in dissolving your partnership.

In order to dissolve a Civil Partnership, a Civil Partner must satisfy the court the Civil Partnership has broken down irretrievably.  The facts that have to be relied upon to prove this breakdown are :

  • That the other party has behaved in such a way that you cannot reasonably be expected to live with them.
  • That you have lived apart for at least two years and the other party consents to a dissolution.
  • That you have lived apart for five years. (In this case no consent is necessary from the other party).
  • That the other party has deserted you for a period of two years.

Although Civil Partnership is relatively a new area of Law, it is very similar, in many ways, to a divorce and the Courts are, therefore, likely to adopt the same approach in particular in respect of finances, when dealing with dissolution of a Civil Partnership.