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Civil Partnerships

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This page summarises some of the key legal changes relating to partnerships which affect registered civil partners and other commonlaw relationships.

Civil Partnership - the legal bit

The Adoption and Children Act 2002, will ensure that same-sex couples will be able to apply to adopt a child jointly. This will help achieve the Government’s objective of increasing the number of vulnerable children who have the opportunity, through adoption, to grow up as part of a loving, stable and permanent family.

The Government extended overseas allowances to married and unmarried couples, including same-sex partners.

The Housing Bill, currently before Parliament, proposes to equalize the rights of same-sex couples to succeed to a tenancy.

The white paper “Civil Registration — Vital Change” recommends that the right to register deaths be extended to ‘life partners’. Government recognises that existing rules cause distress to partners at a very upsetting time.

Since April 2003 there is also a new right for parents of young children to request a flexible working pattern. Same-sex partners of a biological parent will also be able to request to work flexibly if they have responsibility for the upbringing of the child.

Since April 2003 there is also a new right for parents of young children to request a flexible working pattern. Same-sex partners of a biological parent will also be able to request to work flexibly if they have responsibility for the upbringing of the child.

The immigration rules now make provision for an unmarried partner in a long-term relationship to apply for leave to enter or remain in the UK on the basis of their relationship with a British citizen or person present and settled in the UK. The relationship can be either a heterosexual or same-sex relationship.

In April 2001 the Home Office revised the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme to include long-term same-sex partners as qualifying relatives in fatal cases.

Other pages on this site cover:

The financial implications (general taxation and allowances)

The implications for members of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (1975 and 2005)

Part of this list was compiled with assistance from the Women and Equality Unit's Sexual Orientation pages (dated 2004)