Are we about to see a change in the law after Supreme Court ruling granted Rebecca Steinfeld (37) and Charles Keidan (41) the right to have a civil partnership?
The Civil Partnership Act 2004 was introduced to grant same-sex couples the same legal rights as married couples before the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 came into force. Since 2013, same sex couples have had the right to choose whether to enter into a civil partnership with their partner or get married. Heterosexual couples have not been granted the same choice.
Steinfeld and Keidan have challenged the lack of choice available to heterosexual couples based on its incompatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights.
Although this judgement does not guarantee that the law is going to change, it is likely that the government will be compelled to act. Chairman of the Equal Civil Partnerships campaign has said:
"There is only one possible way forward - giving everyone the right to a civil partnership - and we urge the government to seize this opportunity to announce it will end this injustice now."
If you need advice in relation to civil partnerships and would like to discuss how we can help you, please contact Kathryn Moggs in BakerLaw’s Family department at kathryn.moggs@baker-law.co.uk or call 01252 730758.
This article is not a definitive statement of the law. It is designed as a free update on the law at the time of publishing. It is not a substitute for legal advice on specific facts and circumstances. BakerLaw LLP and/or the writer accepts no liability or responsibility for reliance on this article and recommends that you seek independent legal advice on your specific circumstances prior to taking any steps.
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