Overview

This bill proposes to amend the Civil Partnership Act 2004 to allow opposite-sex couples to enter into civil partnerships, mirroring the existing rights of same-sex couples.

Description

The key change introduced by this bill is the removal of the phrase "of the same sex" from Section 1(1) of the Civil Partnership Act 2004. This amendment will effectively extend the legal framework of civil partnerships to include heterosexual couples. The bill also includes a short title clause, naming it the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Amendment) Act 2014 and specifies that its extent is the same as the original Act.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify any associated government spending. The financial implications are likely to be minimal, primarily involving administrative costs related to updating registration processes.

Groups Affected

• Opposite-sex couples: This bill grants them the legal right to enter into civil partnerships, offering similar rights and responsibilities as those currently available to same-sex couples.
• Civil partnership registrars and related professionals: These individuals will need to adapt their processes to accommodate applications from opposite-sex couples.
• Legal professionals: Lawyers specializing in family law will need to adjust their advice and practices to reflect the expanded eligibility for civil partnerships.

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