Civil Partnerships

The Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into operation on 5 December 2005 and enables a same-sex couple, wherever in the UK, to register as civil partners and have their relationship legally recognised.

The registration provides the couple with similar rights to those of married couples including

• Tax
• Inheritance Act
• Employment benefits
• State and most occupational pension benefits
• Income related benefits tax credits child support
• Maintenance to the civil partner and children
• Ability to apply for PR
• Inheritance of tenancy agreements
• Recognition under intestacy rules
• Access to fatal accident compensation
• Protection from DV
• Recognition of immigration and nationality

The Dissolution procedure is similar to the dissolution procedure for divorcing couples.

The articles on legal topics published in these pages are for interest only and are necessarily general in their terms. You should not act (or refrain from acting) on the basis of the information given without specific advice, as the principles and laws concerned may change, and their application will vary according to the particular circumstances.