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.
“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.”
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The Civil Partnerships Act 2004 came in to 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 which are essentially the same as those associated with marriage.
Civil partnership is not the same as a gay marriage, but the rules and legal principles concerning the creation and dissolution of civil partnerships are based in the most part 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 and 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 make an application in relation to the partnership finances, and such issues are dealt with in very much the same manner that financial disputes between married couples would be dealt with.
Specialist advice from leading lawyers
If you are entering into 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 please contact 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.
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"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."
"Mark Freedman is intelligent and personable and has a good selection of high-net work cases".
"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 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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"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."
[The Family Law department] handles significant matrimonial finance cases and complex nuptial agreements. Respected for its expertise in cross-border children law matters.
This team is perhaps best known for its children work, often involving complex international dynamics.
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