This chapter discusses the scope of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (CPA 2004) which came into force on 5 December 2005 and the formation of civil partnerships. It outlines civil partnership and same-sex marriage under The Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Act 2013. It also explains the differences between civil partnership and marriage. Once a partnership has been formed, civil partners assume many legal rights and responsibilities for each other, third parties, and the State. It does explain that adultery, however, is not a fact to establish the ground for dissolution of a civil partnership as it is in marriage. The Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) Regulations 2019 are also outlined.
12
Chapter
Each Concentrate revision guide is packed with essential information, key cases, revision tips, exam Q&As, and more. Concentrates show you what to expect in a law exam, what examiners are looking for, and how to achieve extra marks. This chapter discusses financial provision on divorce or dissolution of marriage or civil partnership, including housing and everyday expenses of the parties and any children involved. It considers the courts’ statutory powers to redistribute property in case of divorce, nullity, judicial separation, or the dissolution of a civil partnership. The chapter explains how civil partners in England and Wales are treated under the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (CPA) and the courts’ application of the provisions of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (MCA) in reaching a decision in divorce cases. It also discusses the three principles of financial needs, compensation, and sharing used by the courts in making an award; nuptial agreements; the Law Commission Report on Matrimonial Property, Needs and Agreements; and provision for children under the MCA, the CPA, the Child Support Act 1991, and the Children Act 1989.
Chapter
Each Concentrate revision guide is packed with essential information, key cases, revision tips, exam Q&As, and more. Concentrates show you what to expect in a law exam, what examiners are looking for, and how to achieve extra marks. This chapter, which focuses on nullity as a way of terminating marriage or civil partnership, first explains the difference between nullity and divorce on one hand, and between a void marriage and a non-marriage on the other. It then considers the grounds on which a marriage may be void and voidable in England and Wales under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, as well the grounds on which a civil partnership may be void and voidable under the Civil Partnership Act 2004. The chapter concludes with an assessment of the future of nullity.
Chapter
This chapter explores the historical development and modern statutory framework applicable to adult formalised and non-formalised relationships. It attempts to instil a thorough understanding of the key principles applicable to the formation and subsequent regulation of these relationships. Owing to the rapid change in family forms and the growing legal recognition of same-sex relationships, the statutory framework has evolved. The chapter assess how far these frameworks have successfully accommodated modern family forms and whether further reform is required. Topics discussed include the evolution of marriage; the formal recognition of same-sex relationships; legal consequences and formalities for entry into marriage; the legal consequences of nullity; civil partnerships; and cohabitation.
Chapter
This chapter starts by considering how people get married, tracing the institution of marriage through history. It looks at the evolving popularity of marriage to the present day. The chapter then addresses the social and legal significance of marriage. It asks: Why does the state encourage people to marry? The chapter also looks at other ways in which relationships can be formalised under the law. Finally, the chapter turns to civil partnerships and looks at the changes in legal status to such partnerships over time. It also considers public perceptions of civil partnerships. Finally the chapter asks: Is there a future for marriage?
Chapter
Cohabitating relationships are not covered by the same coherent body of law available to married couples or civil partners. Many cohabitants mistakenly believe that they acquire legal rights after a number of years of cohabiting, but this is incorrect. Many clients are shocked to find that they have few legal remedies, and that available are far from straightforward. This chapter begins with a comparison of marriage, civil partnership, and cohabitation. It then goes on to discuss the law on cohabitation contracts, as well as case-law relating to this. The Law Commission Proposals and future developments on cohabitation are then discussed.
Chapter
This chapter explores the historical development and modern statutory framework applicable to adult formalised and non-formalised relationships. It attempts to instil a thorough understanding of the key principles applicable to the formation and subsequent regulation of these relationships. Owing to the rapid change in family forms and the growing legal recognition of same-sex relationships, the statutory framework has evolved. The chapter assesses how far these frameworks have successfully accommodated modern family forms and whether further reform is required. Topics discussed include the evolution of marriage; the formal recognition of same-sex relationships; legal consequences and formalities for entry into marriage; the legal consequences of nullity; civil partnerships; and cohabitation.
Book
Edited by Ruth Lamont
Family Law offers a contextual and critical examination of the subject, discussing areas of debate and controversy. Topics include: family life and the law; marriage, civil partnership, and cohabitation; seeking a divorce; and property division on divorce. It also examines property division on the breakdown of non-marital relationships; child support; domestic violence and abuse; and legal parenthood and parental responsibility. It moves on to look at private child law, public law child protection, adoption; and human rights and children’s rights in the family. Finally, it considers international family law and family law in practice.
Book
Edited by Ruth Lamont
Family Law offers a contextual and critical examination of the subject. Topics include: family life and the law; marriage, civil partnership, and cohabitation; seeking a divorce; and property division on divorce. It also examines property division on the breakdown of non-marital relationships; child support; domestic violence and abuse; and legal parenthood and parental responsibility. It moves on to look at private child law, the medical treatment of children, public law protection, adoption; and human rights, children's rights, and the family. Finally, it considers international family law and family law in practice.
Chapter
Each Concentrate revision guide is packed with essential information, key cases, revision tips, exam Q&As, and more. Concentrates show you what to expect in an exam, what examiners are looking for, and how to achieve extra marks. This chapter focuses on family relationships, marriage, same sex marriage, civil partnership, forced marriage, and cohabitation, beginning with a discussion of the absence of a widely acceptable definition regarding the concept of ‘family’. It examines how marriage was defined in Hyde v Hyde (1866), and the definition of civil partnership under the Civil Partnership Act 2004. The concept of ‘common law marriage’ and the rights of those cohabiting is considered, along with the importance of formalities to end marriage and civil partnership. It also highlights the rights of parties to a marriage or civil partnership to acquire rights over property during the relationship on the basis of trusts law or proprietary estoppel. Finally, it looks at calls to reform the law in relation to cohabitants, particularly with regard to joint ownership of property.
Chapter
N V Lowe, G Douglas, E Hitchings, and R Taylor
This chapter begins with a discussion of marriage as a legal concept, the legal recognition of same-sex relationships and creation of civil partnerships. It considers the rules governing entry into marriage and civil partnership and the presumption of marriage. It also discusses the concept of nullity of marriage or civil partnership, the concept of a ‘non-qualifying ceremony’ and the grounds for annulment. The chapter concludes with a discussion of cohabitation outside marriage and its recognition by the law.
Chapter
This chapter examines the law surrounding the formation of the formal relationships of marriage and civil partnership, including the law on nullity. It also explores, by way of contrast, non-formal cohabiting relationships. Topics discussed include void and voidable marriages, sham marriages, forced marriages; the development of gay and lesbian rights; the road to same-sex marriage and the extension of civil partnership to opposite-sex couples; and the legal consequences of marriage.
Chapter
This chapter examines the law governing incorporation and bodies corporate. It explains that corporate bodies are called such because they are created via the process of incorporation and have corporate personality (and are therefore legal persons), and these types of business entities come in two principal forms, namely companies and limited liability partnerships. It discusses the formation and registration process for these types of businesses and the different types of registered companies. This chapter also describes the advantages of incorporation which include corporate personality, limited liability, and perpetual succession and its disadvantages which include civil liability, criminal liability, and potentially complex regulation.
Chapter
All books in this flagship series contain carefully selected substantial extracts from key cases, legislation, and academic debate, providing able students with a stand-alone resource. This chapter first considers demographic data on family relationships in England and Wales, and then examines the treatment of ‘trans’ people in this area of family law; and the history of legal recognition of intimate relationships between parties of the same gender, culminating in same-sex marriage and ensuing debates about the future of civil partnership. This is then followed by discussions of status-based relationships (marriage and civil partnership); creating a valid marriage or civil partnership; grounds on which a marriage or civil partnership is void; grounds on which a marriage or civil partnership is voidable; and non-formalized relationships (cohabitants and other ‘family’).
Chapter
This chapter discusses the factors that a court will take into account when deciding on the division of money and property following a divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership. It introduces the main concepts in proceedings for financial orders under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, which includes all of the circumstances of the case, children, and the factors for orders involving children. It examines the factors considered by the court when deciding on financial orders and these are explained in detail. It looks at the clean break principle, pensions, and the principal case-law arising from proceedings for financial orders.
Chapter
One of the main issues that the parties need to consider when a marriage or civil partnership ends is the financial consequences of the divorce, dissolution, or judicial separation. Amongst other things, they need to consider where they are going to live and what money they need to live on in the future. Their current assets will need to be evaluated and divided accordingly. The parties do not always agree on how to do this. Whatever they decide, the court has to approve of the decision. The chapter looks at the courts' powers, the legal principles they apply, the practical implications, and the problems that may arise in financial remedy practice. A number of different scenarios are used to help with this analysis.
Chapter
All books in this flagship series contain carefully selected substantial extracts from key cases, legislation, and academic debate, providing able students with a stand-alone resource. This chapter discusses the law on divorce and separation. It covers divorces in England and Wales; the nature, function, and limits of divorce law; a brief history of divorce law to 1969; the present law of divorce and judicial separation; evaluation of the current law; options for reform of divorce law and the process of divorce; and the future of English divorce law.
Chapter
Each Concentrate revision guide is packed with essential information, key cases, revision tips, exam Q&As, and more. Concentrates show you what to expect in a law exam, what examiners are looking for, and how to achieve extra marks. This chapter focuses on divorce, dissolution, and judicial separation as means of ending marriage or civil partnership. It first considers the grounds for divorce/dissolution and highlights five facts that can be used to prove a marriage has irretrievably broken down: adultery, behaviour, desertion, two years’ separation with consent, and five years’ separation. The chapter then compares no-fault divorce with divorce based on fault and provides an overview of the debates surrounding reform. Finally, it considers alternatives to the court process when dealing with divorce, dissolution, and judicial separation, with a particular focus on mediation.
Chapter
This chapter addresses the termination of adult relationships, in particular divorce, but also the dissolution of civil partnerships, and the termination of cohabitation. Beginning with a discussion of the history of law on divorce and recent divorce statistics, it goes on to cover the law of divorce under the Matrimonial Causes Act (MCA) 1973, criticisms of the current law and recent reform initiatives. It then considers other decrees under MCA 1973, dissolution of a civil partnership, and termination of unmarried relationships.
Chapter
N V Lowe, G Douglas, E Hitchings, and R Taylor
This chapter discusses the law governing financial remedies in the context of a divorce, dissolution of a civil partnership, nullity and separation. It deals with the court’s powers and the procedures under which these are exercised.
12
