A Civil Partnership is the correct legal term, for what has been described in the media as 'gay marriage'. This common expression is misleading as there is no religious ceremony associated with such an arrangement.
However, since December 2005 a same sex couple now have the opportunity of publicly registering their relationship and bestowing upon each other their legal rights as if they were a married couple. This has wide reaching effects, for example on pension provisions, housing rights, state benefits and so on.
This development is reflected in other legal areas, such as the right for same sex couples to be considered by child adoption panels.
A separating same sex couple, who have registered their relationship under a Civil Partnership, will face the same legal process as a divorcing married couple. In fact, a 'divorce' occurs. The financial division is dealt with in the same way and the procedure regarding any children is identical. Therefore, perhaps, the media vernacular term is not too far from the mark.
Buckles' lawyers welcome discreet discussions with anyone who has questions about the new law or face the difficulty of separating or 'divorcing', in such circumstances.
