Pictured above: Angela Davis of Nottingham Law Firm
Berryman
The number of same sex couples tying the knot has dropped,
whilst partnership dissolutions have shown a significant increase,
according to recent figures from the Office of National
Statistics.
Civil partnerships have been available to same sex couples since
December 2005 when the Civil Partnership Act was introduced, and
according to specialist family lawyer Angela Davis of Nottingham
law firm Berryman, it is unsurprising their take-up has steadily
declined:
"Some three-and-a-half years down the line it is perhaps not
surprising that the number of same sex couples tying the knot has
declined. Demand would undoubtedly have been at its highest in the
period immediately following the introduction of the Civil
Partnership Act in 2005; many couples who may have been together
for many years would have entered into civil partnerships because
they weren't previously available to them.
"Whilst statistics show a large fall in the number of same sex
couples entering into civil partnerships, it is interesting that
over the same time there's been a significant increase in the
number of civil partnership dissolutions - the equivalent of
marriage and divorce respectively - and further, a total of 33,965
couples have entered into premarital agreements since they became
available.
"As with marriage, couples who enter into civil partnerships
face an absolute bar from being able to dissolve the partnership
until 12-months have elapsed from the date of the ceremony, meaning
dissolutions would not have been available to those who entered
into partnerships at the first available opportunity until late
2006/early 2007."
Angela adds: "The Civil Partnership Act gives civil partners
almost identical rights to those of their married counterparts in
the event of marital breakdown. Therefore, civil partners should
seek legal advice in the event that their relationship breaks down
whilst those contemplating entering into a civil partnership should
also consider the possibility of a pre civil partnership
agreement.
"Premarital agreements are increasingly popular and are finding
increased favour with the Courts and can be just as relevant, if
not more so, for same sex partners."