In December 2005 the Civil Partnership Act 2004 came
into force. This Act allows same sex couples to register
their partnership so that they acquire the rights and
responsibilities that would arise from a marriage between
heterosexuals except that there is no religious ceremony.
To register a Civil Partnership the parties must be
of the same sex and is arguably one of the most significant
pieces of family legislation in recent years. Civil
partners will acquire new rights and responsibilities
to place them on the same legal footing as married couples.
There is no requirement to consummate a partnership
or for the relationship to be sexual.
Until recently same sex couples could be in long term
stable relationships for their whole lives but had no
Pension rights, often had their homes threatened, lost
out with regard to Inheritance Tax and had no status
as Next of Kin in the event of the death of the partner.
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