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The British Government enacted The Civil Partnership Act 2004 an Act of Parliament that came into force on 5 December 2005. This Act enables same sex civil partnerships to be formed under a standard procedure since 21 December 2005.

"Civil partnership" is a legal relationship, exclusively for same-sex couples. This is legally distinct from marriage.

The Act applies to a couple of the same sex not already already in any civil partnership or marriage. Both must be 16 or older and not be related.

View the full text of the official information.

To view a copy of The Civil Partnership Act 2004.

Same sex couples who form a civil partnership each have a legal status – that of - “civil partner”.

Same sex couples who form a civil partnership under the 2004 Act have parity of treatment in a wide range of legal matters with those opposite sex couples who enter into a civil partnership.

The rights and responsibilities civil partners now have include:

A duty to provide reasonable maintenance for your civil partner and any children of the family.

Ability to apply for parental responsibility for your civil partner’s own child.

Equitable treatment for the purposes of assessment for - child support; inheritance of a tenancy agreement; life assurance; tax (including inheritance tax), employment and pension benefits;

Recognition under intestacy rules;

Access to fatal accidents compensation;

Protection from domestic violence;

Recognition for immigration and nationality purposes.

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