What is the future of Civil Partnerships?
June 2018 | Molly Betts
Since the introduction of same sex marriages the status of Civil Partnerships is being questioned.
It has been argued that as same sex couples can now marry and convert their Civil Partnerships into a marriage, it is discriminatory towards heterosexual couples if they are unable to form a Civil Partnership.
The matter of Steinfield and Another v Secretary of State for Education 2017 argued this point. This heterosexual couple wished to enter into a Civil Partnership due to religious beliefs against marriage. Their argument was initially unsuccessful and they were refused permission to enter into a Civil Partnership. After arguing that it was in breach of their Art 14 and Art 8 rights under the Human Rights Act 1998 their appeal was finally successful.
Despite this, as of yet there is no change to the law. The Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Amendment) Bill was due to get a second reading in May 2017 to open Civil Partnerships to heterosexual couples but was postponed due to the general election.
The Bill was not expected to receive a great amount of support however the proposed reform may now take on a different stance in light of Steinfield.
As opposed to making Civil Partnerships available to heterosexual couples, others have argued that it would be more suitable to abolish Civil Partnerships completely.
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