Healys: Civil Partnerships

We were privileged to be invited as witnesses at our friends’ civil partnership ceremony in Brighton recently.

We both found the event to be very moving and enjoyable. It was lovely to see our close friends make a formal commitment to each other.

The Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into force on 5 December 2005 and since that date, approximately 120,000 people have entered into civil partnerships, with approximately 7,000 of those taking place last year. To enter into a civil partnership you need to be 16 years or over, although if you are under 18, you need permission from your parents or guardian to do so. You need to be free to form a civil partnership (in other words single, divorced or widowed) and not closely related to your proposed civil partner. There are two steps to entering into a civil partnership: you have to give notice to your local register office and, at least 16 days after giving notice, have either a religious or civil ceremony.

Before entering into a civil partnership, we would suggest that you consider entering into a pre-nuptial agreement as, without being pessimistic, approximately 800 people chose to end their civil partnership last year. According to the latest Government figures, lesbian couples are almost twice as likely as gay men to end a civil partnership.

“The issues surrounding the end of a civil partnership are the same as those affecting marriage breakdown”

We both have a great deal of experience of civil partnership breakdowns within our professional lives and the issues surrounding the end of the civil partnership are the same as those affecting marriage breakdown. The dissolution of a civil partnership can be a traumatic and life changing event for people, with financial and emotional repercussions.

If you are thinking of entering into a civil partnership and would like advice regarding a pre-nuptial agreement, or are considering separating from your civil partner and wish to discuss any of the issues set out above, please feel free to telephone us on 01273 685888. Alternatively, you may choose to email us at either of the addresses below:
Catherine Taylor: catherine.taylor@healys.com
Kathryn Sawyer: kathryn.sawyer@healys.com