Same Sex Unions in Britain
On December 5, 2005 gay and lesbian couples in Great Britain became eligible to register as “civil partners.” The law extends almost all of the rights of marriage to gay and lesbian couples.
How to register a Civil Partnership
A couple wishing to register a civil partnership decides the date they
want to register and where they want the registration to take place. The formal
process for registering consists of two stages: Giving of notice
of intent to register and the registration of the civil partnership itself.
A civil partnership registration can take place in any register office or at any venue that has been approved to hold a civil partnership.
Some of the rights gay and lesbian couples will be eligible for are:
- If one partner dies before the other, the survivor will be treated like married couples if there is no will
- Survivors will inherit property the same as married couples
- Social Security Rights
- Pension Benefits
- The ability to get parental responsibility for a partner's children
- Recognition for immigration
- Recognition under intestacy rules
- Income related tax benefits
- Responsibility for child support
- Civil Partners may jointly apply to adopt children
Who is eligible for Civil Partnerships?
Civil Partnerships are open to any two unrelated people of the same sex who are over 16, as long as they are not already partnered or married to someone else. Any two people of the same sex are eligible to register their relationship. They do not have to be a gay or lesbian couple, but it is expected that most will be.
More on Civil Partnerships
From George Boles in the UK: "When they drafted the Civil Partnership Act, they made it a completely secular process just like its opposite-sex civil marriage counterpart. The partnership becomes valid the moment both parties sign the registration document rather than by a minister declaring "I now pronounce you husband and wife". Consummation was not made a condition for making partnership valid therefore it can't be used as grounds for dissolving it (neither can adultery). A civil partnership ceremony can't be performed by clergy nor can it be held in a place of worship. Every other legal right that is afforded to a married couple is given to civil partners."
Ending a Civil Partnership
A Civil Partnership ends with one partner dies or with a dissolution order. The dissolution
will be dealt with by a civil partnership proceedings county court. Those seeing to dissolve a Civil Partnership should seek legal advice.
