Overview

This bill proposes an amendment to the Civil Partnership Act 2004, allowing sibling couples (brother/sister, half-brother/half-sister) to register as civil partners. This is only applicable to siblings aged over 30 who have lived together continuously for 12 years.

Description

The bill amends the Civil Partnership Act 2004 to explicitly include sibling couples as a category of civil partners. Key changes include:

• Eligibility: Only sibling couples (brother/sister, half-brother/half-sister) over 30 years of age who have cohabited continuously for 12 years immediately before registration are eligible.
• Definition of Sibling: The bill clearly defines "sibling" to include brothers, sisters, half-brothers, and half-sisters.
• Act Amendments: Several sections of the 2004 Act are amended to incorporate the new sibling couple provision, including sections related to eligibility criteria, regulations, and orders.
• Regulations: The bill allows for regulations to be established for determining whether a couple has met the 12-year cohabitation requirement.
• Geographic Scope: The Act applies to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
• Commencement: The bill will come into force two months after it is passed.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to have a significant impact on government spending. The administrative costs associated with processing additional civil partnership registrations are likely to be minimal.

Groups Affected

• Sibling Couples: This bill directly impacts sibling couples who meet the specified criteria, granting them the legal rights and protections of civil partnership.
• Government Agencies: Government agencies responsible for registering civil partnerships will need to adapt their processes to accommodate the changes.
• Legal Professionals: Lawyers and other legal professionals may experience increased demand for advice and services related to sibling civil partnerships.

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