As from the 31 December 2019, the first mixed sex civil partnerships were formed following a change in the law.
The Civil Partnership Act 2004 was amended to allow mixed sex partnerships to be registered, following proceedings by Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan who won their legal bid to have a recognised mixed sex civil partnership at the Supreme Court in 2018.
By entering into a mixed sex civil partnership, a mixed sex civil partner will gain legal rights both on the death of the other party, or on the dissolution of the relationship, which are not available to cohabiting couples. This therefore means that rights in respect of pensions, tax benefits and inheritance will be protected.
It is expected that many couples who do not wish to marry for any number of reasons will choose to enter into a mixed sex civil partnership to ensure they obtain these legal rights.
It is important to note however that a mixed sex civil partner will need to prepare a new Will because any existing Will is automatically revoked upon the entering a mixed sex civil partnership as it would be upon a marriage.
For an additional article published by the BBC, please visit https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-50953410
For more information or to discuss mixed sex civil partnerships with a member of our Family Team please call:
Exeter 01392 285000 Cullompton 01884 33818 Newton Abbot 01626 330127