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Original poster

Civil partnership, Supreme Court decision

80 replies

Singlenotsingle · 27/06/2018 10:34

Decision just announced that a heterosexual couple can have a civil partnership. Bit ironic really- gay couples wanted marriage, and now hetero couples want civil partnership. Surely there's no need for CP if you can get all the protection s through Wills, house in joint names etc and stay single?

OP posts:
speakout · 27/06/2018 10:46

I am delighted.

OH and I have been waiting for this.

c3pu · 27/06/2018 11:03

Surely there's no need for CP if you can get all the protection s through Wills, house in joint names etc and stay single?

Surely there's no need for wills, house in joint names and staying single if you can get all that protection though a CP?

Brown76 · 27/06/2018 11:14

Very pleased.

RitaMad · 27/06/2018 11:17

Great. This is the route I will be taking should I meet Mr Right.

Kinunir · 27/06/2018 11:18

Now all we need is for pre-nups to be recognised and enforceable in the UK and everyone will have the freedom to formalise their relationships in any which way they like.

speakout · 27/06/2018 11:45

There additional legal benefits that CP or Marriage give that water tight co habiting does not.

Next of kin.
Pension rights.
Excusal of inheritance tax.
Even with a joint account assets may be frozen and used towards the estate on death if only cohabiting- even with wills.

And that is even before break up, kids etc.

OH and I have been co habiting for 22 years and look forward to our civil partnership.

waterSpider · 27/06/2018 11:59

So, to follow the MN expectations of roles ...

When the man goes down on one knee with a ring, how will you feel when he offers a civil partnership rather than a marriage.
What's the verb, "I want to civilly partner you"?.

Or, is a rejection of such 'romantic' things the reason for CPs???

speakout · 27/06/2018 12:05

Do many men do the bended on one knee thing?

I can't speak for others, but for me the idea of marriage does have a hugely distasteful background- the idea of a woman being " given away", of being property a chattle, the idea a virgin bride, of marrying in white, all so patriarchal.
Also personally yes the idea of being proposed to- too sugary, and I hate parties- especially weddings, the idea of dressing up like a cream puff and having all that focus on me it not appealing.

So for me a CP and the fact it stems from ideas of euquality sounds perfect.

speakout · 27/06/2018 12:09

Don't most couples agree on the idea of marriage and well, actually discuss it rather than having it sprung upon the woman at some spuriously romantic occasion by an overly nervous man wondering if she will consent?

So bridie, having the whole thing sprung upon her by sweaty palmed groom to be has 5 seconds to make a live changing decision.

Or am I missing the point?

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 27/06/2018 12:10

As I understand it this ruling doesn't mean the couple can have a CP, it just means Parliament has to look at the law again. It could opt to abolish civil partnerships completely because it's just marriage by another name.

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 27/06/2018 12:13

So for me a CP and the fact it stems from ideas of euquality sounds perfect. CPs are rooted in recent homophobia. They literally couldn't scream inequality more loudly. Whereas none of the other things you mention are a requirement of marriage.

speakout · 27/06/2018 12:15

I didn't say these things were a requirement of marriage.

I said marriage does have a hugely distasteful background-

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 27/06/2018 12:17

How does maintaining its structures but calling it something different change that?

Dodie66 · 27/06/2018 12:34

Can somebody explain the difference between marriage and civil partnership please?

Superbirdtrooperbird · 27/06/2018 12:40

Adultery can't be used as a reason for dissolving a civil partnership, so where does that leave couples who, after one has been unfaithful, wish to legally split? Must they remain legally partnered to someone they are no longer in a relationship with? And therefore unable to remarry (re-partner) in the future?

Spam88 · 27/06/2018 12:50

So for me a CP and the fact it stems from ideas of euquality sounds perfect.

It doesn't stem from equality at all - it stems from homophobia and a refusal to accept that homosexual relationships are equal to heterosexual ones surely..?

FinallyHere · 27/06/2018 12:53

after one has been unfaithful, wish to legally split

No biggie, it would be fully covered on grounds of unreasonable behaviour

ChiefClerkDrumknott · 27/06/2018 12:55

Another hoping it will get through Parliament. DP and I discussed it previously when this was first being brought to court. He asked me if I would want one if it became legal as I had previously said I would consider it. I said yes and we discussed it like adults. He would have been fine if I had said no.

You can dissolve a partnership in various ways so no, you don't have to stay partnered indefinitely.

For me, it gives legal protection without the background that I find distasteful, so provides a modern way to protect me and DP. We are partners. I have never wanted to be a wife. I don't see why people get their arse in their hand about what others choose. I don't when people choose to get married Hmm

Lottapianos · 27/06/2018 12:55

'When the man goes down on one knee with a ring, how will you feel when he offers a civil partnership rather than a marriage'

You tell him to get up quickly and stop being so daft. You talk about it and decide if you want to have a CP, a marriage, or neither. Like any other adult decision that you make in a couple

Lottapianos · 27/06/2018 12:58

'I don't see why people get their arse in their hand about what others choose'

Grin I like this phrase

I agree with you, this topic puts a LOT of noses out of joint.

SoddingUnicorns · 27/06/2018 13:00

DP and I would go for a CP but don’t want to get married. Purely for the legal protection. Wouldn’t even tell anyone. Just to know we’re covered if anything happened to one of us.

We’ve been married before, wouldn’t do it again.

If anyone else has a problem with that, I guess it’s their problem eh? Grin

waterSpider · 27/06/2018 13:51

Differences between a civil partnership and a marriage?

Last I checked only that
(a) adultery not a ground to dissolve, nor non-consummation a ground to annul [though that's linked to definitions of sex when CPs were only for same-sex]
(b) don't get to use some courtesy titles - wife of Duke gets Duchess through marriage, but not used for CPs. [I believe]

waterSpider · 27/06/2018 13:53

The actual ceremonies differ in wording.
"Civil Partnership Words
Unlike a marriage ceremony there are no legal words that need to be said when forming a Civil Partnership. Most ceremonies do however include the following paragraph which can be included at any point in the ceremony.

I declare that I know not of any legal reason why we may not register as partners in law. I understand that on signing this document we will be forming a civil partnership with each other."
says www.haringey.gov.uk/births-death-and-marriages/marriages-and-civil-partnerships/personalising-your-ceremony/ceremony-scripts-and-words

ChiefClerkDrumknott · 27/06/2018 14:47

Lottapianos It's a favourite of mine, along with sending someone away with a flea in their ear Grin

speakout · 27/06/2018 18:15

I wonder what the church's view on civil partnership of heterosexual couples will be.

As it is not technically marriage- will they view it still as fornication and sinful?