What rights do civil partners have?

Civil partners have the same legal rights and responsibilities as married couples. These rights and responsibilities include:

- Employment and most pension benefits
- Tax, including inheritance tax
- Income related benefits such as tax credits and child support
- The duty to provide reasonable maintenance for their civil partner and any children of the family
- Ability to apply for parental responsibility for their civil partners child
- Inheritance of tenancy agreements
- Protection from domestic violence
- Access to compensation from fatal accidents
- Hospital visiting rights as next of kin
- Immigration and nationality purposes
- Life assurance
- Exemption from being required to testify against their civil partner in court

The differences between a civil partnership and a marriage are to do with technical differences. A family solicitor can outline these differences to ensure each civil partner is clear about their responsibilities. A marriage has religious connotations and is able to be performed by a minister. A civil partnership is official when the registration certificate is signed and can be done on a private basis. In addition, only specified registrars are able to perform a civil partnership in one of the 76 offices designated for the registration of civil partnerships in the UK. Legal advice should be obtained if you are unsure of where a civil ceremony can be performed.

The steps a couple must take in order to enter into a civil partnership are the same as a heterosexual couple for a civil marriage. These steps include the couple giving fifteen days public notice of their intent to form a civil partnership to the local registrar. The notice must be given in person with both parties present. Family law outlines the minimum legal compliance that the couple must fulfil if their partnerships will be recognised by the law.

Civil partners also have the right to dissolve a civil partnership following the breakdown of the relationship. This process involves the courts in the same way as a divorce for a married couple. In order for the court to grant dissolution of a civil partnership, it must have existed for one year and the petitioner must be able to show one of four allowed reasons for terminating the civil partnership. The division of property and financial assets, and decisions about the care of any children from the partnership are decided in the same way as a divorce. Family law solicitors should be used to ensure all legal formalities are followed. And the help and advice of family law solicitors will be vital if one party contests a petition to dissolve a civil partnership.

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