Civil Partnership Dissolution Process
April 2025
When a civil partnership breaks down, one of the partners may wish to end the relationship legally by dissolving it. The dissolution process in the UK is similar to divorce, but there are specific legal steps to follow. Understanding the dissolution process is important to ensure that the process is handled efficiently and correctly.
This summary provides general information and does not constitute legal advice on any individual circumstances.
What is Civil Partnership Dissolution?
Civil partnership dissolution is the legal process that ends a civil partnership. It is the equivalent of divorce for married couples but applies to those in a civil partnership. The dissolution process involves applying to the court for a formal order to end the partnership on the basis that the relationship has broken down irretrievably.
Just like divorce, dissolution of a civil partnership requires both parties to address issues such as finances, property division, and child arrangements, where applicable. The process is generally straightforward if both parties are in agreement. However, disagreements on finances or arrangements for children may require further legal intervention, such as mediation or court proceedings.
Grounds for Dissolution
In the UK, the grounds for dissolving a civil partnership are the same as those for divorce, and the process must be initiated on the basis of the irretrievable breakdown of the partnership. Under the current law, there is no need for fault to be established, so it is possible to apply for dissolution without proving wrongdoing by either party.
The applicant (whether as a sole application, or together with the other party as a joint application) must confirm that the relationship has irretrievably broken down. If the application meets the other legal requirements (such as the minimum length of the partnership, and the jurisdiction criteria), then the dissolution will proceed.
The Process of Civil Partnership Dissolution
To start the dissolution process, one or both partners (depending on whether they wish to make a sole or joint application) needs to complete and file an application for dissolution with the court. This document confirms the breakdown of the relationship and includes details such as the length of the civil partnership and where the parties live.
Once the application has been issued by the court, a mandatory cooling off period of 20 weeks will begin. Once this time period has concluded, the applicant can apply for the conditional order. This is a temporary ruling that indicates the dissolution of the civil partnership is likely to be granted. Once six weeks and a day have passed since the conditional order was pronounced, the applicant can apply for the final order. Once this is granted, the civil partnership will officially be dissolved, and both parties are then legally free to remarry or enter into another civil partnership if they wish.
Financial and Child Arrangements
While the court progresses the legal dissolution of the civil partnership, the parties will also need to reach an agreement on financial matters, including property division, pensions, and spousal maintenance, if applicable. If the couple has children, arrangements for their care and living situation must also be considered.
In some cases, mediation may be required to help the parties reach an agreement on financial or child-related matters. However, if an agreement cannot be reached, the court may be asked to make a ruling on the division of assets and child arrangements.
How Can Fullers Help?
At Fullers Family Law, we understand that finding a solicitor that you feel understands your own specific situation can be a daunting task. So, you can book a free call back with us here.
We have also created a series of fixed-price consultation meetings with a full ‘no questions asked’ money-back guarantee' promise.
For an initial discussion and a no-obligation quote, get in touch with us today by simply calling us on 01234 343134, filling in the contact form below, or emailing us at enquiries@fullersfamilylaw.com and a member of our team will get back to you.
