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Civil partnerships: Law to change for mixed-sex couples Civil partnerships: Law to change for mixed-sex couples
(35 minutes later)
All couples in England and Wales will be able to choose to have a civil partnership rather than get married, Theresa May has announced.All couples in England and Wales will be able to choose to have a civil partnership rather than get married, Theresa May has announced.
The move will provide greater security for unmarried couples and their families, the government said. The move will give mixed-sex couples and their families the option of greater security, the government said.
And it will address the "imbalance" that allows same-sex couples to enter a civil partnership or get married - a choice denied to mixed-sex couples. And it will address the "imbalance" that allows same-sex couples to choose between a civil partnership or marriage - a choice denied to mixed-sex couples.
The current system was found in June to be in breach of European law.The current system was found in June to be in breach of European law.
The Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favour of Rebecca Steinfeld, 37, and Charles Keidan, 41, from London, who launched their own legal bid to be allowed to have a civil partnership.The Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favour of Rebecca Steinfeld, 37, and Charles Keidan, 41, from London, who launched their own legal bid to be allowed to have a civil partnership.
The court said that the Civil Partnership Act 2004 was incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.The court said that the Civil Partnership Act 2004 was incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.
The couple has welcomed the news, but said "legislative action" and a clear timetable was now needed from government.The couple has welcomed the news, but said "legislative action" and a clear timetable was now needed from government.
The Scottish government is also carrying out a consultation on allowing mixed-sex couples to enter into civil partnerships after the ruling.The Scottish government is also carrying out a consultation on allowing mixed-sex couples to enter into civil partnerships after the ruling.
What are civil partnerships?What are civil partnerships?
They were created in 2004 to give same-sex couples - who at the time couldn't marry - similar legal and financial protection to a marriage. They weren't available to mixed-sex couples.They were created in 2004 to give same-sex couples - who at the time couldn't marry - similar legal and financial protection to a marriage. They weren't available to mixed-sex couples.
Then, the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 legalised same sex marriage in England and Wales and the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 did the same there. Then, the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 legalised same-sex marriage in England and Wales and the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 did the same there.
Since then, same sex couples there have been able to choose between marriage or civil partnerships - except in Northern Ireland, where they are still not able to marry. Since then, same-sex couples there have been able to choose between marriage or civil partnerships - except in Northern Ireland, where they are still not able to marry.
But the opposite didn't become true - mixed-sex couples didn't get the right to a civil partnership. That's what's now set to change.But the opposite didn't become true - mixed-sex couples didn't get the right to a civil partnership. That's what's now set to change.
In a civil ceremony there is no requirement to exchange vows and, while you can include readings, songs or music, there must be no religious component.In a civil ceremony there is no requirement to exchange vows and, while you can include readings, songs or music, there must be no religious component.
Why do mixed-sex couples want this right?Why do mixed-sex couples want this right?
There are a range of reasons people give for not wanting to get married.There are a range of reasons people give for not wanting to get married.
High on the list, the feeling among some that marriage as an institution doesn't reflect their equal relationship because of its roots in traditional gender roles.High on the list, the feeling among some that marriage as an institution doesn't reflect their equal relationship because of its roots in traditional gender roles.
Mrs May, who is in Birmingham for the Conservative Party conference, said the move would give all couples the same choices in life. The prime minister, who is in Birmingham for the Conservative Party conference, said the move would give all couples the same choices in life.
"This change in the law helps protect the interests of opposite-sex couples who want to commit, want to formalise their relationship but don't necessarily want to get married," she said."This change in the law helps protect the interests of opposite-sex couples who want to commit, want to formalise their relationship but don't necessarily want to get married," she said.
Ms Steinfeld and Mr Keidan campaigned for four years to get the law changed and more than 130,000 people signed an online petition in support of civil partnerships for everyone.Ms Steinfeld and Mr Keidan campaigned for four years to get the law changed and more than 130,000 people signed an online petition in support of civil partnerships for everyone.
The couple said the "legacy of marriage... treated women as property for centuries" and was not an option for them.The couple said the "legacy of marriage... treated women as property for centuries" and was not an option for them.
"We want to raise our children as equal partners and feel that a civil partnership - a modern, symmetrical institution - sets the best example for them," they added."We want to raise our children as equal partners and feel that a civil partnership - a modern, symmetrical institution - sets the best example for them," they added.
What protections do you get from a civil partnership?What protections do you get from a civil partnership?
Beyond the issues of principle, there are many practical reasons for why some unmarried couples might now want to enter into a civil partnership.Beyond the issues of principle, there are many practical reasons for why some unmarried couples might now want to enter into a civil partnership.
As the BBC's legal affairs correspondent Clive Coleman explains, there are currently some 3.3 million co-habiting couples in the UK.As the BBC's legal affairs correspondent Clive Coleman explains, there are currently some 3.3 million co-habiting couples in the UK.
Many of them believe they are in a so-called common law marriage and possess similar rights and protections to those enjoyed by married couples and civil partners - but they don't.Many of them believe they are in a so-called common law marriage and possess similar rights and protections to those enjoyed by married couples and civil partners - but they don't.
It can cause enormous distress when co-habiting partners find out - often on separation or the death of their partner - that they have far fewer inheritance, property and pension rights than they had thought.It can cause enormous distress when co-habiting partners find out - often on separation or the death of their partner - that they have far fewer inheritance, property and pension rights than they had thought.
Become civil partners means couples will enjoy greater rights and protections within their relationship, without having to get married. Becoming civil partners means couples will get these benefits without having to get married.
The government said there were "a number of legal issues to consider, across pension and family law" and ministers would now consult on the technical detail.The government said there were "a number of legal issues to consider, across pension and family law" and ministers would now consult on the technical detail.
Equalities Minister Penny Mordaunt promised that the change in the law would happen "as swiftly as possible".Equalities Minister Penny Mordaunt promised that the change in the law would happen "as swiftly as possible".
How have campaigners reacted?
Mr Keidan said the couple had become "accidental campaigners" on the issue, but told BBC News: "It wasn't just about us. There are many, many thousands of couples who would wish to form a civil partnership."
He said he now wanted the law to change and to know when the first mixed-sex civil partnerships would happen.
Ms Steinfeld added: "Charlie and myself can finally formalise our relationship in the way we see fit."
Civil rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, who has backed the couple, said the announcement was "wonderful news".
"The government's decision was a necessary response to the judgement of the highest court in the land," he added.
Martin Loat, of the Equal Civil Partnerships campaign, also welcomed it as "another important step forward towards civil partnerships for all."
He added: "Legislation would be fair, popular and promote stable families.
"A promise is a promise but what we need now is action, and soon."
Do you think this is a good idea? Would you prefer a civil partnership or a marriage? Let us know by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukDo you think this is a good idea? Would you prefer a civil partnership or a marriage? Let us know by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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