Civil partnerships: Law to be changed for mixed-sex couples

NeilCr

Gavin83 wrote: »

I've got a question about civil partnerships actually. If the relationship ends do you have to go through a divorce style procedure? I'm assuming so given that it seems you'll split assets.

https://www.gov.uk/end-civil-partnership

mrschaucer

NeilCr wrote: »

https://www.gov.uk/end-civil-partnership

Except note that you can't use adultery as a reason to end a civil partnership.
(Anybody explain why? Is it that adultery by definition is between a man and a woman?)

Mojisola

europaea wrote: »

They aren't the same. Marriage is much more than a piece of paper that you'd sign to enter a civil partnership. Marriage requires a ceremony, exchanging wows, wedding party, there's family and peer pressure and rituals and so on.

Absolutely not true. The only requirements are:
The Declatory Words
"I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I [name] may not be joined in matrimony to [name]."
and
The Contracting Words
"I call upon these persons here present, to witness that I [name] do take thee [name] to be my lawful wedded wife / wife-husband / husband."

There are several versions of these statements that can be used.

Civil partnerships is the no frills option, if you wish - the stripped down, simple version of marriage, with none of the heaviness of marriage and pus it's easier to enter and exit.

CPs can be as simple or extravagant as the participants want.

I've been to CPs that had all the pre-event family dramas along with a big 'do' and everything else you'd find at a big wedding.

Rubik

. Anybody explain why? Is it that adultery by definition is between a man and a woman?)

Adultery is organ specific and requires a penis to be entered into a vagina (consensual). Sorry for the stark explanation! Any other form is sexual contact isn't adultery, which is why there isn't an option to cite adultery in a civil partnership dissolution.

Slinky

But surely there's the possibility of adultery by somebody from a same sex couple having a fling with somebody of the opposite gender. Or doesn't that count as cheating?

Rubik

@Slinky, that would be adultery but as there's no "ground" of adultery in dissolution, the petitioner would have to rely on unreasonable behaviour and cite an inappropriate relationship. But, it's an unlikely scenario - gay men and women are not likely to sleep with someone of the opposite sex.

Mrs_Ryan

Me and OH have already decided what our CP is going to involve- just waiting impatiently now for the law to change!
It’s going to be an incredibly simple ceremony- close family only in the local registry office followed by a meal in the hotel where we’re going to book rooms for my family. I’m going to be wearing a dress from a website that i adore which hand makes retro style dresses. I’m fairly sure i’ll have a ring of some description but OH doesn’t want one. Our one concession is that I’m going to hold a party a few weeks later for all my friends and extended family back home so they can celebrate with us. Not interested in a massive showy ceremony- too old for all that caper part of me is wondering what on earth has happened to me as when I was engaged to my ex I was Bridezilla alright Nothing less than the full works would have done. Needless to say I didn’t go through with it- we split suddenly. That’s another reason I’m not arguing with OH :rotfl:
Technically- adultery could still occur in a same sex CP- if a bi person had one they could quite conceivably commit adultery with a member of the opposite sex but as Rubik says above- unlikely.

BrassicWoman

Rubik wrote: »

@Slinky, that would be adultery but as there's no "ground" of adultery in dissolution, the petitioner would have to rely on unreasonable behaviour and cite an inappropriate relationship. But, it's an unlikely scenario - gay men and women are not likely to sleep with someone of the opposite sex.

ahh those invisible bisexuals.....

Rubik

BrassicWoman wrote: »

ahh those invisible bisexuals.....

Homosexuality and bisexuality are not the same.

Slinky

Rubik wrote: »

Homosexuality and bisexuality are not the same.

But it's perfectly possible for a 'mixed' marriage/civil partnership to occur therefore the possibility of 'adultery' can exist.