Statistics show a decline in Civil Partnerships

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The number of Civil Partnerships formed in the UK in 2013 has declined.

In 2012, 7037 civil partnerships were recorded as having been formed in the UK.  The figure for 2013 has dropped to 6,276, a decrease of 11% according to the figures recently released by the Office of National Statistics.  The statistics are derived from information recorded when Civil Partnerships are registered as required by law.

The Civil Partnership Act 2004  which came into force in December 2005, allows same-sex couples to formalise their relationship under the law. Since 2014 when the Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Act 2013 came into force, same sex couples have had the choice of entering a Civil Partnership or getting married. The decline in Civil Partnerships in 2013 could be attributable to the Same-Sex Marriage becoming legal in 2014 and couples deciding to wait to marry.

There is little legal difference between a Marriage and a Civil Partnership but the debates leading to reform showed the powerful cultural implications of marriage.

A Civil Partnership can be legally dissolved when a couple’s relationship breaks down by following a process that mirrors a divorce.  Same-sex couples have the same rights as couples in a heterosexual relationship in relation to the financial remedies they can seek, such as pension sharing, property adjustment and maintenance.

Heterosexual couples do not have the same choice of entering into a Civil Partnership available to them, and there has been talk that the law should be amended.

For further information or advice in relation to Civil Partnerships, Same Sex Marriage or Family law generally, please do not hesitate to telephone our Family Law Team on 01903 229912

 

The information contained in this article is for general guidance only and is not intended to be legal advice. Professional advice should always be taken on the application of the law in any particular situation