Civil partnerships
This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on civil partnerships. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs.
Standard Notes
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 20.02.2013 | Pensions: civil partnerships and same sex marriages |
| This note looks at the way in which forming a civil partnership affects rights to state, occupational and personal pensions and at the relevant provisions in the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 2012-13 | |
| 19.12.2012 | Same-sex marriage and civil partnerships |
| In March 2012, the Government launched a consultation on equal civil marriage and asked for views on proposals to remove the ban on same-sex couples being able to have a marriage through a civil ceremony. The consultation period ended on 14 June 2012. The consultation has received a mixed reaction from interested parties. | |
| 19.12.2012 | Civil partnerships on religious premises |
| The Civil Partnership Act 2004 created a legal union which is very similar, but not fully identical, to marriage. Civil partners have the same rights and responsibilities as married couples in many areas. A legally valid marriage can currently be entered into only by a male and a female, whereas a civil partnership is available only to same-sex couples. | |
| 12.09.2012 | Financial provision orders on the breakdown of a relationship |
| During or after a divorce, annulment of a marriage or civil partnership, judicial separation, or dissolution of a civil partnership, the court can make an order for financial provision. In September 2012, the Government published draft legislation for pre-legislative scrutiny, which could require divorcing couples in dispute about money or property to be assessed for mediation. The Law Commission is conducting a project examining various aspects of the law relating to the financial consequences of divorce and dissolution of civil partnership. | |
| 24.02.2011 | Civil partnerships |
| This note provides a summary of how registration and dissolution of civil partnerships work under the Civil Partnership Act 2004. It also looks at the legal differences between civil partnership and marriage and considers the impact of both the Human Rights Act 1998 and the new Equality Act 2010 on civil partnerships. |
Research Papers
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 01.02.2013 | Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill |
| The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill was introduced into the House of Commons on 24 January 2013 and is due to have its second reading debate on 5 February 2013. It would introduce civil marriage for same sex couples, and enable religious organisations to opt in to conduct same sex marriages if they wish to do so. The Bill includes provisions intended to protect religious organisations and individuals from being forced to conduct same sex marriages. The proposals have proved highly controversial with interested parties expressing strong opinions both for and against same sex marriage. The Bill would also enable civil partners to convert their partnership to a marriage and would enable married transsexual people to gain legal recognition in their acquired gender without having to end their marriage. | |
| 28.06.2011 | Protection of Freedoms Bill: Committee Stage Report Bill 189 of 2010-11 |
| This is a report on the House of Commons Committee Stage of the Protection of Freedoms Bill. It complements Research Paper 11/20 prepared for the Commons Second Reading. | |
| 08.09.2004 | Civil Partnership Bill (HL) (Bill 132 of 2003/04) |
| The Civil Partnership Bill (HL) (Bill 132 of 2003/04): the detail and legal implications. House of Commons Library Research Paper 04/65. | |
| 07.09.2004 | Civil Partnership Bill (HL) (Bill 132 of 2003/04) |
| The Civil Partnership Bill (HL) (Bill 132 of 2003/04): background and debate. House of Commons Library Research Paper 04/64. |
Early Day Motions
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 15.07.2008 | RELIGIOUS BELIEFS IN PUBLIC SERVICE |
| That this House notes that an Islington registrar has won an industrial tribunal case giving her the right to refuse to officiate at civil partnership ceremonies for homosexual and ... |
Lords Library Notes
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 03.11.2011 | Protection of Freedoms Bill (HL Bill 99 of 2010-12) |
| This Library Note provides background information in advance of the Protection of Freedoms Bill's second reading in the House of Lords. |
