On 15th March 2019, the House of Commons approved amendments made by the House of Lords to the Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration etc.) Bill.
Whilst there is much work still to be done, and the government will have to consult upon the proposed regulations, Minister of State for Security in the Home Office, Bill Wallace, has confirmed that opposite-sex couples will be able to register their civil partnerships by the end of the year.
The private member’s bill, which now requires royal assent, was brought forward by Tim Laughton MP, following Charles Keiden and Rebecca Steinfeld’s win in the Supreme Court after battling to win the option of forming a civil partnership.
This change to the law will allow many of the 3.3 million unmarried couples who live together in the UK to benefit from the same sort of protection as married couples and same-sex civil partners, including gaining inheritance and pension rights. We will report fully on the changes once they are announced by the government.
Author: Bradie Pell, head of Graysons’ family department.
