Civil Partnerships

In December 2005 the Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into force. This Act allows same sex couples to register their partnership so that they acquire the rights and responsibilities that would arise from a marriage between heterosexuals except that there is no religious ceremony.

To register a Civil Partnership the parties must be of the same sex and is arguably one of the most significant pieces of family legislation in recent years. Civil partners will acquire new rights and responsibilities to place them on the same legal footing as married couples.

There is no requirement to consummate a partnership or for the relationship to be sexual.

Until recently same sex couples could be in long term stable relationships for their whole lives but had no Pension rights, often had their homes threatened, lost out with regard to Inheritance Tax and had no status as Next of Kin in the event of the death of the partner.