Overview

This bill proposes to amend the Civil Partnership Act 2004 to allow sibling couples to register as civil partners. To qualify, siblings must be over 30 and have lived together continuously for 12 years.

Description

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

• Eligibility: Only sibling couples (brothers, sisters, half-brothers, or half-sisters) aged over 30 who have cohabited continuously for 12 years immediately preceding registration will be eligible.
• Amendments to existing sections: The bill amends various sections of the 2004 Act (sections 1, 3, 36, 86, 126, 138, and 159) to incorporate the new eligibility criteria for sibling couples.
• Regulations: It empowers the government to create regulations detailing how to determine whether a couple has lived together for the required 12-year period.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to significantly impact government spending. The primary cost would likely relate to the administrative changes required to implement the new eligibility criteria within the existing legal framework.

Groups Affected

• Sibling couples: This bill directly affects sibling couples who meet the eligibility criteria, potentially granting them legal recognition and associated rights.
• Government agencies: Relevant government departments (e.g., the Home Office, local councils) will need to adapt their processes to accommodate the changes.
• Legal professionals: Lawyers and other legal professionals will need to be aware of the amendments to the Act and advise clients accordingly.

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