Overview

This bill amends the Civil Partnership Act 2004 to allow mixed-sex couples (opposite-sex couples) to enter into civil partnerships, mirroring the rights currently available to same-sex couples.

Description

The core change introduced by this bill is the removal of the restriction that civil partnerships are only for same-sex couples. The bill achieves this by amending various sections of the 2004 Act. Specifically, it removes clauses in sections 1, 3, 86, and 138 that explicitly limit eligibility to same-sex couples. This effectively opens up the option of a civil partnership to heterosexual couples.

The bill applies to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to significantly impact government spending. The amendment primarily involves legislative changes and administrative adjustments to accommodate applications from mixed-sex couples, without requiring large-scale funding increases.

Groups Affected

• Mixed-sex couples: This bill directly impacts heterosexual couples who now have the option of forming a civil partnership.
• Civil partnership registrars and related professionals: These individuals will need to adapt their procedures to accommodate applications from mixed-sex couples.
• Legal professionals: Lawyers specializing in family law will need to update their knowledge and advice to include the implications of this change.

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