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.
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
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
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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"Lisa is excellent - she's efficient, has a very good rapport with her clients and has an enormously outgoing energy. She is very effective in managing clients' cases."
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"Mark is very good at taking a firm line and sticking to it. He doesn't pick unnecessary fights. He is very commercial and good on money cases, and extremely good value in the London market."
"Mark leads the team superbly. He is very able, thinks laterally, fights his client's corner, and invariably succeeds in getting a good result via negotiation or litigation."
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.
They are uniquely placed to cater for every avenue of family legal difficulty, whether financial or children.
Osbornes has one of the strongest family law teams in the business with a very wide range of experience and seniority
Osbornes has incredible strength in depth across every area of family law, from public law children and child abduction proceedings, through to adoption and surrogacy, and private client work.
Areas of expertise for the group span from unravelling complicated trusts and handling pre-acquired wealth, to Children Act proceedings and advising on the financial provision for children
"Osbornes have been a sound firm forever. They have phenomenal work."
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"Osbornes Law have a very broad family practice which does all areas of family law at a high level. They have an excellent practice; they are top quality across the board."
"Osbornes offers a unique service of high quality advice and representation across a wide range of areas of law."
"The team are all eminently approachable and down to earth, committed, hardworking and who support their clients in a very effective, pragmatic way."
"Osbornes offers an excellent family law service spanning the wide range of disputes that may arise, in relation both to children and finances."
"A family team that is able to offer the highest level of expertise across the family law spectrum from high-net-worth finances through to care proceedings and children matters."
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.
He’s a really tough litigator that you certainly want on your side. He will defend his clients to the hilt.
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
"Mark Freedman is intelligent and personable and has a good selection of high-net work cases".
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."
"Mark Freedman is a dynamic and highly experienced family lawyer who fights extremely hard for his clients and is always in their corner, thus ensuring their loyalty and confidence. In a trial you would always want him on your side."
"Bridget Thompson combines her excellent legal knowledge with a clear, succinct and robust style of advice and advocacy. Her approach clearly inspires a high degree of client confidence in her"
"She has impressed me as someone who fights my corner but also understands the importance of resolving issues without unnecessary escalation. She is calm and reassuring."
"Her mediation practice is exceptional; she is also a great solicitor and has a breadth of skill which is really useful."
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"Jo Wescott is top notch and widely recognised as a rising star throughout the profession. She brings a winning combination of great judgement, an immense work ethic, and a relaxed and charming way with opponents and clients alike. Someone you want on your side”
"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.
"Exceptional value for money. Highly competent and reasonably priced. Mark Freedman: one of the best in the field."
"Client-focused. Ready to fight the clients’ corner, but also ready where possible to steer client from unnecessary dispute. Mark Freedman – very experienced, with good instinct for the eventual result. Clients love him and he thinks ahead and directs the client to the best result for the client."
Mark Freedman is a serious player. A fearless family law litigator, who protects his clients’ interests passionately.
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.
"Mark is very experienced, competent, good with clients and takes a sensible approach to cases. He knows exactly what he's doing."
Lisa Pepper is particularly recognised for her role as a mediator in complex cross-border disputes. Her practice also includes handling prenuptial agreements and issues arising from the dissolution of civil partnerships.
"Naomi Angell is a highly esteemed practitioner who is highlighted as "a leader in the field" and "extremely knowledgeable" by interviewees. She is particularly recognised for her experience in complex adoption disputes."
"An exceptional outfit. They take on difficult cases, fight hard and win."
"They are an outstanding firm to work with. They are consistently impressive in their work."
"The team frequently deals with cross-border estates for high–net-worth individuals."
"Mark Freedman is a real heavyweight litigator who has dealt with some very significant cases."
"Mark Freedman boxes clever, keeps his powder dry and when it comes to the end game he negotiates a really good deal."
"Mark Freedman has a specific focus on high-net-worth divorces and finance cases where there are overseas assets and trusts."
"Lisa Pepper somehow manages to get parties to settle on matters where there isn’t much hope to start out with."
"Well-regarded family practice assisting clients with substantial matrimonial disputes and sensitive children proceedings."
"Mark Freedman draws acclaim for his work in high net worth divorce cases, including those involving company structures, family trusts and overseas assets."
"He never gives up. He fights for you to the end and has boundless energy."
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."
"Mark Freedman receives a lot of instructions from clients based abroad, often relating to complex divorce proceedings. Sources say: “His main strengths are his enthusiastic passion for the job in hand and his total dedication to his clients.”
This team is perhaps best known for its children work, often involving complex international dynamics.
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