Our civil partnership lawyers can help if you’re entering into a partnership, or looking to dissolve one. We’re particularly experienced in cases involving complex financial or child law issues – from pre-partnership agreements, to using a surrogate to have a child.
Our family lawyers regularly write and lecture on the legal issues surrounding civil partnerships. We’ve also helped to shape the law in this area through cases such as Roocroft vs Ball. This landmark case at the Court of Appeal decision was a major moment in relation to financial provision for individuals in same sex partnerships.
Call our specialist team on 0370 1500 100 or contact us online for a consultation about your case.
What Services Do We Offer?
Our civil partnership solicitors can help you with a range of family law issues, including:
- Pre-partnership agreements (similar to a prenuptial agreement).
- Family formation – if you’re looking to start a family using a surrogate or donor, or if you’re looking to adopt.
- Civil partnership dissolution.
- Negotiating contact with your children and child maintenance payments.
- Negotiating a financial settlement following the breakdown of your partnership.
- Making claims to “set aside” previous financial settlements, if you suspect your former partner has hidden some of their wealth.
Back to top
Civil Partnership Dissolution
From 6th April 2022, the law on civil partnership dissolution changed. You no longer need to give a reason for the breakdown of the partnership, or to blame one party. Instead, you give a statement which confirms that the partnership has broken down irretrievably.
You must, however, have been in a civil partnership for at least 12 months before submitting your application.
Our civil partnership solicitors are experts in this area, and can help you apply, or respond to a dissolution order.
Civil partnership dissolution can take as little as four months, if the split is amicable and you’re both in agreement. However, it can take longer if there‘s disagreement, or complex financial matters involved. We’ll work hard to get things resolved quickly, while making sure your interests are protected.
Back to top
Why Choose Us?
Civil partnerships offer an important alternative to marriage – which can carry religious or gendered connotations for some people. For nearly a decade civil partnerships were also the only form of legal recognition that same sex couples could achieve.
We’ve been part of the conversation in this area. When civil partnerships became law, they were only for same sex couples. We featured in the national press, arguing that the institution should also be open to heterosexual couples.
At the same time we campaigned for same sex couples to not be lost in the debate. Civil partnership was the only relationship status that gay and lesbian couples had for a long time. We argued that if civil partnerships were to be made available to everyone, then so should the institution of marriage.
Our lawyers have taken cases to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court – helping to shape the law for same sex couples. This included a case which confirmed that same sex couples have the same rights as heterosexual couples, when it comes to dishonesty about financial affairs.
Back to top
Mediation Support Service – 30-Minute Consultation
Family mediation can be a less confrontational and more cost-effective way to resolve a dispute. We offer a 30-minute consultation with one of our solicitors to discuss your situation and if mediation is right for you.
If you decide to go ahead with mediation, you can benefit from our cost effective mediation support service. This service will give you the advice, support and tools to get the best possible outcome – particularly if you’re representing yourself.
Contact us
For a consultation about your civil partnership legal issue, call us on 0370 1500 100 or contact us online.
Call today for more information
0370 1500 100
Or we can call you back at a time of your choice
Phone lines are open 24/7, 365 days a year
