Lost
amongst the Parliamentary reports in Hansard in November
2004, was the passing of the Civil Partnership Act which
received Royal Assent on 18th November 2004. The legislation
has thus passed all its stages in Parliament and has become
law although it will not be implemented until 5th December
2005 to give time for the necessary training. At that date
initial applications from same sex couples may be made to
the Registrar to register their partnership, and there follows
a mandatory 15 day waiting period before the registration
ceremony can take place.
The waiting period can be relaxed in certain
circumstances such as the terminal illness of one partner.
At the ceremony the couple will sign official documentation
to register their partnership before the Registrar and two
witnesses.
The effect of a registered civil partnership
Will is to give same sex couples the same tax, pension, inheritance,
and next of kin rights and exemptions currently available
to married couples.
We will update you further as more information
is available.
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