Civil Partnerships
Specialist Advice From Award Winning Family Lawyers
Our family lawyers have significant experience in advising couples on pre-partnership agreements, detailing financial and property arrangements in the event that the partnership end. We also provide expert advice to resolve any disputes arising from separation.
“The family law team at Osbornes is one of the strongest in London; across all areas of work from international cases, financial and children work, Osbornes is a market leader.”
“Osbornes handle a significant amount of complex, high-value divorce work.”
“Osbornes is a top-end firm, a very well-established name. They have high-value matters, deal with complex matters and have a good team.”
The Civil Partnerships Act 2004 came into force on 5 December 2005.
The Act provides a framework for the dissolution of partnerships and the resolution of financial disputes upon the breakdown of same-sex relationships where there has been a formal registration of the relationship under the Act.
Registration was allowed from 20 December 2005. Same-sex couples who sign a civil partnership registration document commit themselves to a range of rights and responsibilities essentially the same as those associated with marriage.
Civil partnership is not the same as a gay marriage. Still, the rules and legal principles concerning the creation and dissolution of civil partnerships are based mostly on those governing marriage. Before entering into a civil partnership couples may want to clarify what should happen regarding their finances in the event of separation. In these circumstances, you may want to draw up a pre-partnership agreement.
Ending a civil partnership
In the event that your civil partnership breaks down, you will need to apply for a dissolution which is the equivalent of a divorce. If children are involved legal representation can ensure the appropriate arrangements are made. The court may end a civil partnership on an application by either of the parties.
Upon dissolution, it is open to either partner to apply to the partnership finances, and such issues are dealt with in the same manner that financial disputes between married couples would be dealt with.
Specialist advice from leading lawyers
If you are entering into a civil partnership and would like to draw up a pre-nuptial agreement, have already entered into a civil partnership and wish to sort out financial or children arrangements, or if you intend to dissolve a civil partnership, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our family team who will have a confidential chat with you regarding your situation. We will then be able to advise you on whether we can help you.
FAQs
When did civil partnerships become legal in the UK?
Civil Partnerships became legal in the UK when the Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into force on 5 December 2005.
Do the same rules apply to ending civil partnerships and marriages?
A case at the Court of Appeal over the splitting of a gay couple’s £4 million assets has made headlines due to the couple’s financial situation.
Peter Lawrence, a city analyst and Don Gallagher a stage actor, made the decision to dissolve their civil partnership after seven months, although the couple had been together for eleven years prior to entering the civil partnership. The court awarded Mr Gallagher £1.7 million on the dissolution of the partnership, most of which would come from the value of the central London flat they once shared.
Same rules should apply to civil partnerships and marriages
Mr Lawrence who earns approximately £400,000 per year and who was by far the higher earner has appealed claiming the flat should not be included in the settlement. Counsel for Mr Lawrence argued that he bought the London flat just before the couple met and should not be treated as a shared asset. The flat which was bought for £650,000 is now worth £2.4 million. The barrister for Mr Lawrence told the court: “This was, of course, a civil partnership rather than a marriage and although the same principles apply, it is a simple truth that in a homosexual relationship it is more likely that the couple will not have children, and that they will therefore each continue to pursue their careers throughout the partnership, as they did before”.
Counsel for Mr Gallagher responded claiming that while he had joined the relationship with no more than £40,000 of his own assets he had performed a “major domestic and home-making role” in the relationship. It was argued that Mr Gallagher had “helped to create and maintain a lovely home in the flat in various ways including improvement of layout, fixtures and redecoration.
Without including the flat in the assets to be split, Mr Gallagher would be entitled to around £620,000. A decision by the Court of Appeal is expected later this year. This case is of interest as it will set a precedent in the settling of financial issues when dissolving civil partnerships.
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They have a strong team, are heavyweights in this space and are very well respected in the courts.
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I have found the team at Osbornes works very well together to diligently produce a quality end result. Client service has been excellent and I feel like I am in safe hands.
Osbornes is a power house of a family firm. They are robust but realistic and client focused.
Osbornes has lawyers with excellent experience.
Lisa Pepper has an excellent mediation practice, acting for a range of individuals and with a great manner with clients.
Lisa Pepper at Osbornes is an excellent lawyer mediator. She is approachable, calm, unflappable and engaging. I would trust her to mediate on any case.
Her non-judgemental approach quickly gains parties' trust, and her impressive legal expertise ensures all aspects are carefully considered.
I frequently recommend Lisa Pepper with no hesitation as she is obviously at the top of her game in terms of the law.
Mark Freedman is incredibly responsive and conscientious with great street-smarts. A fighter who will get the job done.
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Osbornes is a hugely impressive firm that offers strength and depth to its clients.
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Lisa Pepper is an outstanding mediator with a reputation for resolving even the most complex disputes.
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Lisa Pepper offers remote mediation options alongside standard face-to-face meetings.
Lisa pepper heads the Mediation team and she is often mediating for high-net-worth individuals in both financial and private children matters.
Exceptional mediator’ Lisa Pepper is at the top of her game.
The family law team at Osbornes is one of the strongest in London.
The firm’s alternative parenting team is headed up by Naomi Angell, handling domestic and international adoption, surrogacy, and fertility issues.
Osbornes‘ family team is headed up by Mark Freedman, a mediator and fighter who will get the job done on both complex financial matters and international children cases.
A market leader across public law, international cases, financial and children work.
"Osbornes handle a significant amount of complex, high-value divorce work."
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Osbornes is vastly experienced and able to think around the issues and consider them in a new and refreshing way
Osbornes is a really good team that gives a first-class service which is both sensible and insightful but also supportive of the client's needs.
Osbornes Law offers affluent clients representation in high-value, complex family matters.
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Osbornes have been a sound firm forever. They have phenomenal work and an excellent skill set.
Osbornes have high-end partners doing high-end work. They are very impressive.
They have an excellent practice; they are top quality across the board.
Osbornes have a very broad family practice which does all areas of family law at a high level.
He is very hard-working, diligent and thoughtful in his approach. He is on top of the detail and makes strategic decisions.
He commits himself to getting the best results.
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Mark is an immensely capable lawyer, with vast experience and a well-deserved reputation for getting the very best for his clients.
Lisa Pepper is extremely hard-working and adored by her clients. She is a very empathetic and approachable lawyer.
She’s an extremely supportive and kind lawyer and has an increasing mediation profile too
Andrew secured me the best financial settlement for my claim. He is a credit to Osbornes Solicitors.
"It has a strong and experienced team of solicitors who don’t take bad points, work sensibly to get a settlement and who you can always pick up the phone and speak to. They are good lawyers and know the strengths and weaknesses of their clients’ cases. They don’t posture and always pursue their clients cases appropriately. "
"Mark Freedman is a very capable lawyer, renowned for not being a pushover and pushing his clients’ cases as much as he can, but will always talk sensibly about settlement. He is among the best – tenacious, good judgment and tactically aware."
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"Osbornes is pre-eminent for family law in North London. Mark Freedman is a real rainmaker. He is an excellent lawyer and has a top-notch practice"
Mark Freedman is intelligent and personable and has a good selection of high-net work cases.
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Breadth of knowledge and willingness to go the extra mile is what makes it stand out. Mark Freedman – devoted to his clients
Mark Freedman frequently takes on high-value financial and children proceedings that involve complex tax, trust and accounting issues. Sources praise the "tenacity and common sense" he brings to challenging disputes.
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Bridget Thompson heads the family team, where client care is the top priority.
Mark Freedman advises high-net-worth clients and knows his stuff.
Highly regarded for his experience as a litigation and mediation expertise, Mark Freedman is tenacious and determined. Clients really feel that he is fighting their corner.
[The Family Law department] handles significant matrimonial finance cases and complex nuptial agreements. Respected for its expertise in cross-border children law matters.
They have a really good, strong team, with the junior elements punching well above their weight. It doesn't matter who you talk to; they are all switched on."
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This team is perhaps best known for its children work, often involving complex international dynamics.
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