AIBU to ask what's the difference between Marriage and Civil Partnership?

[supersop60]

Following the High Court ruling that the heterosexual couple may now have a civil partnership. I listened to an interview with them, and I can't see what the legal difference is. (not talking about ceremonies, venues etc here - that's all optional anyway)

In fact I would hasten a guess that the people refusing to enter into a marriage on principle of these issues are not the people who are currently horribly financially vulnerable at being SAHP or working part time in low income, with no rights to the house or pension

Perhaps. I still fail to see why people who will on no way be disadvantaged by the introduction of civil partnerships for all object so strongly to it when many posters have explained why it would suit them to have it

YOO DOT HAVE TK HAVE A HOO HA to get married

I did a civil ceremony with the barest minimum of words. Frankly other than about three sentences I don’t see the difference. I could have kept my name. I didn’t because I was sick of being a smith.

I didn’t get given away or wear a white dress

What do the difference other than some random historical view

So why object if it pleases others to have it? Nobody has yet to explain this...

I think most political parties should be banned and everyone should be given the choice of joining the Conservative party or having no rights. Its a broad church and represents everyone. Whats the problem?

Its a clear case of discrimination and has uncovered the unfairness in forcing everyone into a monopoly contract created by a Christian privileged country. We should not accept theocratic rules.

font - I don't want to make a public declaration about my private relationship. Why do two sentient adults have to say words out loud about each other to a state official to enter into a contract with each other ? I accept that contracts often require witnesses but it should be sufficient for DP and I to simply read and sign a contract that is then witnessed and formally registered with the state.

As for marriage it's just not a club I want or feel the need to join. It may have moved on a lot in modern western democracies but it's still used to control and subjugate women all over the world.

I don't want to make a public declaration about my private relationship. Why do two sentient adults have to say words out loud about each other to a state official to enter into a contract with each other ? I accept that contracts often require witnesses but it should be sufficient for DP and I to simply read and sign a contract that is then witnessed and formally registered with the state.

Oh completely. I'm already dreading the few sentences DP and I will have to say to each other in front of the two witnesses and the registrar.

Personally I don't see what on earth the state has to do with my 'romantic' relationship. A legal contract to confer rights of inheritance and next of kin to a nominated person, sure, but effectively registering my romantic/sexual relationship with another person? When I stop and think about it, it just strikes me as very, very odd that we have to do that. (Separate from having a big party with your family and friends to announce you're spending your life together - not for me but I get that a lot more than I get why we have to register our romantic relationship with the state.)

If the idea is that a "stable" committed relationship is something the state wants to encourage as an all round Good Thing so provides statutory incentives (such as inheritance tax relief) then I accept that the state needs to know that our relationship is ostensibly of the type that attracts such reliefs - so see the need to register it.

I don't agree though that in a modern society only a traditional marriage should denote the requisite level of commitment - which is why I think CP are a great alternative.

The contract should be able to just be witnessed by a lawyer and then administratively registered without the need to say something out loud in person to a state official.

Thank you for that Goodbyeeee and Thulow that stance makes complete sense. I hope you get a CP and they remove the need for a spoken declaration.
It would be fantastic if they made it just a simple signing of a contract. Witnessed in the same way a Will is. (With the proviso that each contracting party has to have a brief interview - separately- prior to the agreement being signed to ensure neither party is being coerced.).

goodbyeeee (excellent name btw) nails it. Absolutely agree and am looking forward to my CP

Is anyone else seeing a huge ad for engagement rings at the bottom of this thread? Wasted on me obviously!

SI 2019/1458 - The Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) Regulations 2019
These regulations extend civil partnerships to opposite-sex couples from 2 December 2019.

"The Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) Regulations 2019 extends civil partnership to opposite-sex couples under the law of England and Wales. The regulations amend the Civil Partnership Act 2004 to alter the basic definition of civil partnership, enable opposite-sex couples to form a civil partnership by registering as civil partners in England and Wales, and recognise as civil partnerships similar opposite-sex relationships formed in other countries. The regulations further make consequential and related amendments to primary and secondary legislation. The regulations come into force on 2 December 2019."

Just thought some mumsnetters who do not like marriage but would ilke a civil partnership with their male partner might want to know - 2 December 2019 could be your big day.