In December 2005, the Civil Partnership Act came into force. This gave same sex couples the right to enter into a legally binding relationship, namely a civil partnership, with most of the same legal rights as marriage. Since March 2014, same sex couples have been able to marry in the United Kingdom, although the option to enter into a civil partnership is still available.

We are experienced in advising on the legal implications of entering into a civil partnership and the financial consequences of its dissolution.

The process for dissolution of a civil partnership is similar to divorce, although there is no fact of adultery. Please refer to the Divorce and separation page and Procedure for obtaining a divorce flowchart for an understanding of the process.

Upon the dissolution of a civil partnership, the full range of financial claims are available as for divorcing couples. 

In the same way that couples who are due to marry often choose to enter into a pre-nuptial agreement, we advise clients who wish to enter into pre-civil partnership agreements in order to regulate their financial affairs in the event of a dissolution. We have considerable expertise in drafting and negotiating these agreements.