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Amazing experience
After placing an enquiry, I received a call 20 minutes later, and then 2 hours later, I had a solicitor assigned to me. They were absolutely incredible right from the word go - amazing and very prompt with replies, answering all my questions and keeping the process moving. We finally completed today and I am so unbelievably happy. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Lawhive again in the future if needed.
Lily
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Charles
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I am an executor, selling my mother's home. I found the assistance I received from Lawhive first rate - empathetic, professional and efficient.
Mark
Great service from Lawhive
We used Lawhive for our conveyancing needs and our solicitor was very helpful, patient and informative. She helped us with our needs with prompt responses and provided a very efficient service.
Kelvin
Great service when you need clarity and calm
Our solicitor was warm, friendly and provided crystal clear communication. A lot of conveyancers assume customers know everything about the process already, so it was really appreciated to hear each stage included in the price given.
Em
Quick and efficient
We used Lawhive for a transfer of property and conveyancing. Our solicitor was so helpful and thorough with the whole process. He responded quickly and efficiently to any questions or requests that we had and explained some of the more complicated issues regarding the process clearly.
Geri
Fantastic service and experience with Lawhive
I had the pleasure of working with Lawhive doing a transfer of equity on a property. Our solicitor’s service was amazing, she responded quickly to any questions or concerns and kept me updated throughout the process. I can strongly recommend her for any conveyancing work that you may need. Fantastic service all round.
Jane
Amazing experience
After placing an enquiry, I received a call 20 minutes later, and then 2 hours later, I had a solicitor assigned to me. They were absolutely incredible right from the word go - amazing and very prompt with replies, answering all my questions and keeping the process moving. We finally completed today and I am so unbelievably happy. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Lawhive again in the future if needed.
Lily
First class service
I initially made an online enquiry about a tricky conveyancing matter and received an immediate call back. They understood straight away what was needed and gave me a quote that was very reasonable. It was such a pleasure to find someone who was cheerful, professional and completely reassuring as I’d been getting quite anxious about the sale of my house. The service Lawhive has provided is absolutely first class and I cannot recommend them enough.
Charles
Empathetic, professional and efficient
I am an executor, selling my mother's home. I found the assistance I received from Lawhive first rate - empathetic, professional and efficient.
Mark
Great service from Lawhive
We used Lawhive for our conveyancing needs and our solicitor was very helpful, patient and informative. She helped us with our needs with prompt responses and provided a very efficient service.
Kelvin
Great service when you need clarity and calm
Our solicitor was warm, friendly and provided crystal clear communication. A lot of conveyancers assume customers know everything about the process already, so it was really appreciated to hear each stage included in the price given.
Em
Quick and efficient
We used Lawhive for a transfer of property and conveyancing. Our solicitor was so helpful and thorough with the whole process. He responded quickly and efficiently to any questions or requests that we had and explained some of the more complicated issues regarding the process clearly.
Geri
Fantastic service and experience with Lawhive
I had the pleasure of working with Lawhive doing a transfer of equity on a property. Our solicitor’s service was amazing, she responded quickly to any questions or concerns and kept me updated throughout the process. I can strongly recommend her for any conveyancing work that you may need. Fantastic service all round.
Jane
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01 overview
Civil partnerships can be an effective way to protect your financial interests without the formalities of marriage.
If you're considering registering a civil partnership or, if circumstances necessitate the dissolution of your civil partnership due to a relationship breakdown, our network of civil partnership solicitors is here to help.
Contact our legal assessment team for a free case evaluation and quote today.
A civil partnership is a legal relationship between two unrelated individuals. Both same-sex and opposite-sex couples can now enter into a civil partnership in the UK.
Civil partnerships were introduced in 2004 to recognise and safeguard the relationships of couples who choose not to marry for personal or philosophical reasons.
Unlike marriage, which involves vows in a ceremonial setting, a civil partnership is formed by signing a legal document called a civil partnership schedule in front of a registrar and two witnesses.
When you register a civil partnership, you and your partner gain a legal status similar to marriage, granting you many of the same rights and responsibilities across various legal areas like property, inheritance, taxes, and next-of-kin arrangements.
To learn more about the differences between marriage and civil partnership, take a look at our article: Civil Partnership vs Marriage.
In the UK, the criteria for entering a civil partnership aim to make sure that both parties are informed and protected when entering into a legally binding relationship.
The main criteria include:
Both parties must be 16 or older.
If under 18 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, parental consent is required unless legally emancipated. In Scotland, individuals aged 16 and over can enter without parental consent.
Both individuals must be single and not in another civil partnership at registration.
Both people must willingly agree to the civil partnership without pressure or coercion, understanding its implications.
Civil partners can't be closely related, like parents and children or siblings.
Both individuals must have the mental capacity to understand the nature of a civil partnership and the consequences of entering into one.
Deciding between a civil partnership and marriage is deeply personal and should reflect your and your partner's circumstances, beliefs, values, and preferences.
Regardless, opting for a civil partnership still grants you the same legal recognition, rights, and protections as a marriage.
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Registering for a civil partnership in the UK is generally straightforward, but it's important to be sure you meet all legal requirements with your partner.
Although procedures may differ slightly in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland due to varying legal systems, the general process is as follows:
First, ensure that you and your partner meet the eligibility criteria for entering into a civil partnership.
Decide where you want to register your civil partnership. This can be at a local register office or any approved venue in your area.
Different rules may apply if you register your civil partnership in Scotland.
Give notice of your intent to form a civil partnership at your local register office.
This involves attending an appointment and providing certain documents, such as proof of identity, age, nationality, and marital status (such as a divorce decree if previously married).
There is a fee for giving notice which is normally £35 per person, or £70 per couple.
This notice is publicly displayed at the register office for 28 days.
After giving notice, you must wait for 28 days in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, or 29 days in Scotland.
This waiting period allows for any objections to be made.
If there are no objections and all legal requirements are met, you will be given a 'civil partnership schedule' in Scotland or a 'civil partnership document.'
You and your partner must sign the civil partnership document in the presence of two witnesses and a registrar.
This can be done at a simple appointment or as part of a ceremony if you wish.
The location where this signing takes place must be the one you named when you gave notice.
Once the document is signed, your civil partnership is officially registered. Congratulations!
You can then get a civil partnership certificate. This is a legal document that proves your relationship.
Entering into a civil partnership provides you and your partner with legal rights similar to marriage. These rights are designed to offer you both protection and security.
In a civil partnership, both partners have legal rights concerning the family home, regardless of who is listed as the property owner on the title deeds. This includes protection from being forced to leave, and considerations regarding the division of property if the civil partnership is dissolved.
Additionally, civil partners are entitled to seek financial assistance from one another during the partnership and in the event of its dissolution. Such support may involve regular maintenance payments or lump sum orders, depending on the circumstances.
In the absence of a will, a civil partner has the legal right to inherit from their partner's estate according to the rules of intestacy.
They are also exempt from paying inheritance tax on any part of the estate they inherit from their civil partner.
Additionally, they hold entitlement to survivor pensions, allowing them to receive pension benefits upon the death of their partner, subject to the same conditions as married couples.
Civil partners enjoy identical tax allowances and relief as married couples, including income tax, capital gains tax, and potentially other tax advantages.
Civil partners are also entitled to equivalent employment benefits as spouses, such as maternity or paternity leave, parental leave, and bereavement leave. Additionally, civil partners can attain parental responsibility for their partner's child or children.
The expenses associated with a civil partnership versus marriage can vary based on things like the choice of venue, ceremony size, and additional services.
However, when considering the essential legal processes required to establish each relationship, the costs are generally comparable.
Both marriage and civil partnership necessitate giving notice at the local register office, typically costing £70 per couple. The difference in costs arises primarily from the ceremony. Initially designed as a civil arrangement, civil partnerships may not require a ceremony. So, if a couple opts out of a ceremony, the costs could be lower compared to a traditional wedding ceremony.
Since religious ceremonies are not permitted in civil partnerships, venue options include register offices or council-approved locations such as stately homes or hotels.
However, civil partnerships and marriages may incur additional expenses if celebrations like blessings, receptions, or parties are chosen.
When civil partnerships were introduced in the UK, religious elements were explicitly prohibited from the registration process, making it a strictly non-religious event.
While civil ceremonies allow for readings, songs, or music, they cannot incorporate religious components like hymns or readings from religious texts such as the Bible or the Torah. However, couples can opt for a religious blessing of their partnership following a civil ceremony.
Fortunately, recent legal adjustments have opened the possibility for civil ceremonies to occur in registered religious buildings. However, it's important to confirm with the venue that they can host a civil partnership ceremony before selecting them as your official venue.
If you are in an opposite-sex civil partnership, it's not possible to convert it into a marriage.
However, if you are in a same-sex civil partnership, you can convert it into a marriage.
To do this, you should contact your local register office or a religious or approved venue where same-sex marriages are conducted to express your intention to convert your civil partnership into a marriage.
There are some costs involved. You will have to pay:
Of course, as always, the cost of the ceremony will vary by venue.
To proceed, you'll need to sign a 'conversion into marriage' declaration with a superintendent registrar at the register office, presenting your original civil partnership certificate and valid identification.
Once the declaration is signed (and any ceremony completed), the conversion is registered, and you'll receive a marriage certificate. This certificate replaces the civil partnership certificate, legally recognising you as married.
To dissolve your civil partnership, the primary requirement is that you've been in the partnership for over a year.
If you wish to remain in the civil partnership but live separately, you can get a legal separation, even in the first year of your civil partnership.
There are different processes to end a civil partnership in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
You will also need to work out child arrangements and child maintenance payments (if applicable) and divide your money and property fairly.
Ending a civil partnership can take around 6 months. But may take longer depending on the circumstances.
You have the option of making a joint application if both parties agree or if neither of you is at risk of domestic abuse. However, if your partner does not consent to end the civil partnership or you have concerns about their cooperation, you can apply individually.
The application to end a civil partnership can be completed online or by post, with a fee of £593. You'll need to provide your civil partner's current address so the court can send them a copy of the application.
For postal applications, you'll need to fill in a dissolution application form and send it to the HMCTS Divorce and Dissolution Service at the specified address.
Following this, you'll apply for a conditional order, which is confirmation that the court sees no reason why the civil partnership can't be ended. You must then wait 20 weeks before applying for a conditional order.
Subsequently, you'll apply for a final order, which officially terminates the civil partnership. You must wait 6 weeks after the conditional order date to apply for this, or 3 months and 6 weeks if your civil partner applied.
If you seek a legally binding arrangement for dividing assets and property, you must apply for this before the final order.
Once you get the final order, your civil partnership is officially dissolved, allowing you to marry or enter into another civil partnership.
When a civil partnership is entered into, both partners may have responsibilities and rights towards any children within the family.
The biological parent of a child naturally has parental responsibility.
For civil partners, the non-biological parent can acquire parental responsibility through various means. This includes being named on the birth certificate (for children born after a specific date, varying by region), entering into a parental responsibility agreement with the other parent, or getting a parental responsibility order from the court.
Additionally, civil partners can jointly adopt a child, granting both partners equal parental responsibility. This legal recognition ensures both parents have the authority to participate in significant decisions concerning the child's upbringing, encompassing education, healthcare, and religion.
Throughout the civil partnership, assuming the non-biological parent has gained parental responsibility, both parents share the rights and duties of raising the child.
In the event of the civil partnership ending, decisions regarding child custody, visitation rights, and child support must be made between the couple.
In some EU countries, civil partnerships are seen as equal to marriage. Typically, nations permitting same-sex marriages also recognize same-sex registered partnerships from other countries.
However, certain EU countries, including Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, do not offer civil partnerships.
In countries where civil partnerships are deemed equivalent to marriage, you and your partner would enjoy the same immigration rights if you decide to relocate abroad. Simply put, your partner would have the right to accompany you.
In countries where civil partnerships are deemed equivalent to marriage, you and your partner would enjoy the same immigration rights if you decide to relocate abroad. Simply put, your partner would have the right to accompany you.
The most common misconceptions about civil partnerships include:
At Lawhive, we will provide you with comprehensive support for all aspects of civil partnerships. Our network of experienced lawyers offers personalised advice tailored to your situation, whether you're considering entering into a civil partnership, need assistance with legal documentation, or are seeking guidance through the dissolution process.
Get in touch today for a free case evaluation and quote.
With straightforward pricing - so you know exactly what to expect at every step.
