Civil partnership lawyers

Q: How long does a civil partnership dissolution take?

Civil partnership dissolution can take as little as four months, if the split is amicable and you both agree on how to separate. It can take longer if there‘s disagreement, or complex financial aspects.

Q: How do I dissolve a civil partnership?

From 6 April 2022, the law on civil partnership dissolution changed. You no longer need to give a reason for the breakdown of the partnership, or to blame one party. You will just give a statement to confirm the partnership has broken down (although you must have been in a civil partnership for at least 12 months before you do this).

Our civil partnership lawyers can help if you’re entering into a partnership, or looking to dissolve one. We’re particularly experienced in cases involving complex financial or child law issues – from pre-partnership agreements, to using a surrogate to have a child.

Entering a civil partnership

If you are entering into a civil partnership, looking to dissolve one, or starting a family through surrogacy, a donor, or adoption, our specialist family lawyers are on hand.

We can help you with:

Creating a civil partnership
Dissolving a civil partnership
Civil partnership discrimination
Starting a family through surrogacy, a donor, or adoption
Making pre-partnership agreements (similar to “prenups”)
Negotiating a financial settlement if your partnership breaks down
Negotiating child maintenance payments and contact with your children
Making claims to “set aside” previous financial settlements, if you suspect your former partner has hidden money or assets.

Civil partners have the same rights and recognition as married couples. Anyone can enter one.

You can choose any venue you like for your ceremony – including religious ones, as long as they host civil partnership ceremonies.

The first step is giving notice at your local register office. You will need to make an appointment and bring a few documents with you, like proof of your name, date of birth, and address. At the appointment, you will make a short declaration in front of the registrar to confirm your intention. After a 29-day waiting period, you are free to have your ceremony. On the day, you will sign the civil partnership schedule or licence in front of the registrar and make it official.

Before, unmarried fathers didn’t automatically have parental responsibility, and weren’t even necessarily entered on the birth certificate. Now, fathers in heterosexual civil partnerships are treated much the same way as married fathers.

Why we’d love to represent you

Many people have found traditional marriage problematic – especially those in the LGBTQIA+ communities, non-religious people, and those who want an alternative or less binding way to be with their partner.

We’re proud of the role we’ve played in shaping laws around marriage and civil partnerships – arguing, campaigning, and lecturing publicly that civil partnerships should be open to heterosexual couples, and the institution of marriage should be open to same-sex couples.

No one should be left out of the space they feel comfortable in.

Our lawyers have taken cases to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, helping to shape the laws that finally legalised marriage for same-sex couples. And we’ll continue to work tirelessly to make sure you are heard and represented.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a civil partnership dissolution take?

Does entering into a civil partnership invalidate my will?

A will executed before marriage becomes invalid upon marriage – and it’s the same with a civil partnership. The only exception is making a will ‘in contemplation’ of the marriage or civil partnership, with a statement to confirm it’s been drafted in the knowledge a marriage or civil partnership (to a specified person) will happen within a reasonable timeframe.

How you word a will is extremely important, so legal support is invaluable – any confusion can lead to it being contested.