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 core change introduced by the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Amendment) Bill is the removal of the restriction limiting civil partnerships to same-sex couples. Currently, only same-sex couples can enter into a civil partnership under the 2004 Act. This bill amends Section 1(1) of the 2004 Act by deleting the phrase "of the same sex," making civil partnerships available to opposite-sex couples as well. The bill also provides for the short title "Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Amendment) Act 2016" and states that its geographical scope is the same as the original 2004 Act.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify any government spending changes. The financial implications would likely be minimal, potentially involving minor administrative costs associated with adapting processes to accommodate applications from opposite-sex couples.

Groups Affected

The bill primarily affects:

• Opposite-sex couples: This bill grants them the right to enter into civil partnerships, providing similar legal rights and protections as those currently available to married couples and same-sex civil partners.
• Civil registration services: These services will need to adapt their processes to accommodate applications from opposite-sex couples seeking civil partnerships.
• Legal professionals: Lawyers and other legal professionals will need to be aware of the changes in the law to advise clients accurately.

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