Family Law - Dissolution of Civil Partnerships

Same-sex couples can now register their relationship under the Civil Partnership Act 2004. This provides the couple with a new legal status equivalent to a married couple.

Not only does a civil partner have equivalent legal status to a married couple, but also should the relationship break down the partnership can only be brought to an end by Order of the Court, known as a Dissolution. You must have been in a civil partnership for more than one year, and the procedure is very similar to a divorce. To start the Dissolution process, you must file at Court a Petition setting out the reason why the civil partnership has broken down.

If there are children of the family the court will also require a Statement of Arrangements for children setting out the proposed arrangements for the children upon Dissolution of the Civil Partnership. The court will need to be satisfied with the arrangements for the children before the Dissolution has been finalised.

In addition, the financial position of the Civil Partners upon finalisation of the Dissolution may also need to be considered. For example, if there are pensions or assets e.g. family home. If an agreement cannot be reached, an application can be made to Court within the Dissolution proceedings to deal with the financial arrangements.