The legal relationship existing between two civil partners who have registered their partnership in accordance with the Civil Partnership Act 2004, which came into force on 5 December 2005.
Civil Partnership is a new legal relationship, which can be registered by two people of the same sex. It gives same-sex couples the ability to obtain legal recognition for their relationship.
A formal partnership between same sex couples. A Civil Partnership is treated in the same way as a marriage for all tax purposes.
a civil marriage in all but name
a formal arrangement that gives same-sex partners the same legal status as a married couple)
a legal commitment which can be formed by any two people, giving them the ability to obtain legal recognition for their relationship and be treated as equally as opposite sex couples who enter into marriage
a legally binding contract between two people of the same sex
a legally binding partnership between a single sex couple
a legally recognised relationship between two people of the same sex
a new legal relationship, which will entitle people in same sex relationships the same employment rights and workplace benefits as mar Ref
a non-sexual thing in a way, because there is no need to consummate it as there is with a marriage," Hogwood says
a registered partnership between two people of the same sex that want to formalise their relationship
a registered same-sex partnership
a separate legal status, distinct from marriage
A legal union which is generally similar or identical to civil marriage. A noun that is badly in need of a verb, as one can say "I married her" but one cannot say "I civil-partnershipped him". In the UK, the Civil Partnership Act 2004 made civil partnerships available to same-sex couples, but not mixed-sex couples.
The Government has recently introduced legislation permitting same sex couples to enter into a formal partnership, called a Civil Partnership. Civil Partners will be entitled to some of the same rights, as well as carrying some of the same responsibilities, as married couples.