Solicitors providing legal and family law services in Bristol and the South West

Family Law - Civil Partnerships

We offer all the help and legal advice you will need if you are considering entering into a civil partnership. We have expert knowledge in this area and provide a welcoming service.

• We can give you information about the provisions of this new area of law

• We are experienced family lawyers

• Should your partnership break down, we can advise you on issues such as finance and property division

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Civil Partnerships

This new area of law has yet to be tested in the courts.

The first civil partnership ceremonies took place in late December 2005.  As with married couples, civil partners are barred from applying for termination of the partnership until one year after the date of the civil ceremony.   As with divorce / financial separation, one partner must prove that the partnership has broken down irretrievably proving one of the following facts:

• Unreasonable behaviour
• Desertion
• Two years separation (with consent)
• Five years separation (without consent)

There is no fact of adultery in the termination of a civil partnership by virtue of the definition of adultery.

Issues concerning finance and property division follow more or less the provision available to married couples under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973.

Remedies are available to civil partners in disputes involving children under the Children Act 1989 as amended.

The law has yet to be tested but we are gearing ourselves to advise and represent civil partners upon partnership breakdown.

If you need advice or assistance – give us a call.

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