Clare Wiseman
Head of Family Law
Civil partnerships
If you need immediate legal support with a family issue, call us free on 0808 271 8429. For less urgent advice, fill out the form and get a call back within 24-48 hours.
Entering a civil partnership
If you are entering into a civil partnership, looking to dissolve one, or starting a family through surrogacy, a donor, or adoption, our specialist family lawyers are on hand.
We can help you with:
- Creating a civil partnership
- Dissolving a civil partnership
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If you are entering into a civil partnership, looking to dissolve one, or starting a family through surrogacy, a donor, or adoption, our specialist family lawyers are on hand.
We can help you with:
- Creating a civil partnership
- Dissolving a civil partnership
- Civil partnership discrimination
- Starting a family through surrogacy, a donor, or adoption
- Making pre-partnership agreements (similar to “prenups”)
- Negotiating a financial settlement if your partnership breaks down
- Negotiating child maintenance payments and contact with your children
- Making claims to “set aside” previous financial settlements, if you suspect your former partner has hidden money or assets.
Civil partners have the same rights and recognition as married couples. Anyone can enter one.
You can choose any venue you like for your ceremony – including religious ones, as long as they host civil partnership ceremonies.
The first step is giving notice at your local register office. You will need to make an appointment and bring a few documents with you, like proof of your name, date of birth, and address. At the appointment, you will make a short declaration in front of the registrar to confirm your intention. After a 29-day waiting period, you are free to have your ceremony. On the day, you will sign the civil partnership schedule or licence in front of the registrar and make it official.
Civil partnership discrimination - Starting a family through surrogacy, a donor, or adoption
- Making pre-partnership agreements (similar to “prenups”)
- Negotiating a financial settlement if your partnership breaks down
- Negotiating child maintenance payments and contact with your children
- Making claims to “set aside” previous financial settlements, if you suspect your former partner has hidden money or assets.
Civil partners have the same rights and recognition as married couples. Anyone can enter one.
You can choose any venue you like for your ceremony – including religious ones, as long as they host civil partnership ceremonies.
The first step is giving notice at your local register office. You will need to make an appointment and bring a few documents with you, like proof of your name, date of birth, and address. At the appointment, you will make a short declaration in front of the registrar to confirm your intention. After a 29-day waiting period, you are free to have your ceremony. On the day, you will sign the civil partnership schedule or licence in front of the registrar and make it official.
Before, unmarried fathers didn’t automatically have parental responsibility, and weren’t even necessarily entered on the birth certificate. Now, fathers in heterosexual civil partnerships are treated much the same way as married fathers.
Why we’d love to represent you
Many people have found traditional marriage problematic – especially those in the LGBTQIA+ communities, non-religious people, and those who want an alternative or less binding way to be with their partner.
We’re proud of the role we’ve played in shaping laws around marriage and civil partnerships – arguing, campaigning, and lecturing publicly that civil partnerships should be open to heterosexual couples, and the institution of marriage should be open to same-sex couples.
No one should be left out of the space they feel comfortable in.
Our lawyers have taken cases to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, helping to shape the laws that finally legalised marriage for same-sex couples. And we’ll continue to work tirelessly to make sure you are heard and represented.
Speak to our expert
We have the largest private client team in the UK, our team of experts are here to provide discreet legal advice to support you and your family.
We’re here to help
Complete our enquiry form and one of our experts will contact you by the next working day.
Alternatively, you can call us now.
Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm (Excluding Public Holidays).
0370 1500 100
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