Civil Partnership Lawyers
Civil partnerships offer couples - both same-sex and opposite-sex - the opportunity to formalise their relationship with the same legal recognition and rights as marriage. Whether you are planning to register a civil partnership, preparing a pre-partnership agreement, or facing the end of a relationship, our civil partnership lawyers provide clear and compassionate advice at every stage.
JMW’s family law team is one of the largest and most respected in the UK, advising clients across England and Wales and internationally on every aspect of civil partnership law. We act for couples seeking to register a civil partnership and who wish to protect property and assets through pre-partnership agreements, and to resolve financial settlements or child arrangements following a separation.
Our lawyers advise with discretion and professionalism, tailoring their approach to your personal and financial circumstances. Whether you are entering into a civil partnership, dissolving one, or converting it into a marriage, we provide practical guidance to help you make confident, informed decisions about your future.
To speak to one of our civil partnership solicitors, call 0345 872 6666, or complete our online enquiry form to arrange a confidential discussion.
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How JMW Can Help
At JMW, our family law team provides expert legal advice for couples seeking to formalise or end a civil partnership. We understand that every relationship is different and approach each case with sensitivity, care, and the legal precision needed to protect your interests.
Our family lawyers support clients through every stage of the process, offering guidance on:
- Pre-civil partnership agreements: drafting clear and fair agreements that define how assets, property, and finances will be managed during the partnership or in the event of a relationship breakdown.
- Dissolution of a civil partnership: providing advice on the legal process, financial settlements, and arrangements involving children if the partnership ends.
- Conversion into marriage: assisting couples who wish to convert an existing civil partnership into a marriage, including advice on the legal and procedural steps involved.
- Cross-border and complex financial matters: offering strategic advice where international assets, trusts or pension schemes are involved.
Our team of civil partnership solicitors includes specialists recognised by the Legal 500, Chambers & Partners, and Spears 500 for their expertise in family law and matrimonial finance. We advise clients across England and Wales and act with complete discretion, providing reassurance and legal certainty at every stage of your partnership.
We are also able to work closely with our private wealth team to advise on wealth management, property ownership and succession planning. This multidisciplinary approach ensures your legal and financial interests are protected both during your partnership and in the event of a relationship breakdown.
Meet the Team
Our civil partnership lawyers are part of JMW’s nationally recognised family law team, and we can provide clear, confidential and pragmatic advice to help you formalise or dissolve civil partnerships with professionalism and care.
Who Can Get a Civil Partnership?
In the UK, both same sex and opposite sex couples can register a civil partnership, giving their relationship full legal recognition and the same legal rights as a marriage. Civil partnerships were first introduced for same sex couples under the Civil Partnership Act 2004, and were later extended to opposite sex couples in 2019 following a change in UK civil partnership law.
To form a civil partnership, couples must meet certain eligibility requirements:
- Both partners must be aged 18 or over.
- The couple must not be closely related by blood or adoption.
- Both must be unmarried and not already in a civil partnership.
- Each partner must have lived in England or Wales for at least seven days before giving notice.
- Neither partner is in prison serving a whole life order.
To register, both you and your partner will need to give notice of your intention to enter into a civil partnership at your local register office. The notice includes your personal details, proof of identity, and confirmation that you are eligible under UK law. Once given, the notice is displayed publicly for a minimum of 28 days before the partnership can be registered.
A civil partnership can be registered at a register office, or at approved premises such as hotels, town halls, or religious buildings authorised to hold civil partnerships. The registration requires the presence of two witnesses and the signing of a civil partnership schedule.
What Is the Legal Status of Civil Partners?
Under UK civil partnership law, civil partners have the same legal rights and responsibilities as married couples in almost every respect. Once a partnership is legally registered, both individuals gain legal recognition as a couple and enjoy the same legal protections in areas such as property, inheritance, taxation, pensions and parental responsibility.
Civil partners are treated in the same way as married couples when it comes to:
- Financial arrangements: including ownership of shared property, joint bank accounts, and other financial assets.
- Inheritance and wills: civil partners automatically inherit from one another if there is no will in place, subject to the same tax allowances as married couples.
- Pensions: both occupational and private pension schemes generally treat civil partners as dependants, providing the same survivors’ benefits as they would for a spouse.
- Tax and allowances: civil partners benefit from the same income tax allowances and inheritance tax reliefs available to married couples.
- Parental responsibility: civil partners share parental responsibility for children born or adopted into the partnership, and they can jointly adopt children under UK law.
- Next of kin status: civil partners have the same rights to make decisions on medical care or funeral arrangements as spouses do.
If a civil partnership ends, the process is legally equivalent to a divorce, and the court can make orders for financial settlements, pension sharing, child arrangements, or maintenance.
It’s important to note that recognition of civil partnerships varies internationally. While most countries with similar legislation recognise UK civil partnerships, some jurisdictions - particularly outside Europe - may not offer the same legal status or benefits. If you or your partner are considering living abroad, our family law solicitors can provide advice on your legal position and help you take steps to protect your rights overseas.
Converting a Civil Partnership into a Marriage
Under UK civil partnership law, same-sex couples who have already registered a civil partnership may choose to convert it into a marriage. This process allows couples to gain formal recognition as a married couple while maintaining the legal continuity of their existing partnership.
The process of converting a civil partnership into a marriage involves specific procedural and legal steps that vary depending on where you live and the circumstances of your relationship. It typically takes place through a local register office or an approved venue licensed for civil marriages, and requires formal documentation and a signed declaration confirming both partners’ consent to the conversion.
While many couples choose to mark the occasion with a ceremony, this is optional, and the legal conversion can be completed without one. Once the process is finalised, the marriage certificate will record the date from the original civil partnership document as the beginning of the legal relationship, preserving your partnership’s legal history.
There are modest administrative fees associated with conversion, and requirements may differ depending on local authority procedures. Because the process involves legal documentation and can have implications for pension schemes, inheritance or tax arrangements, obtaining independent legal advice is recommended.
How We Help with Pre-Civil Partnership Agreements
A pre-civil partnership agreement is a formal legal document that sets out how assets, property and financial arrangements will be managed during a civil partnership, and in the event that the relationship ends. Similar in purpose to a prenuptial agreement, it provides clarity, transparency and reassurance for both partners before registration takes place.
We can help you prepare carefully drafted, legally sound agreements that reflect your unique circumstances and financial priorities. These agreements are particularly valuable for individuals or families with substantial assets, business interests, or inherited wealth, but they can benefit any couple seeking fairness and certainty from the outset.
A pre-civil partnership agreement can address:
- Ownership of property and assets: specifying which assets belong to each partner and how they should be treated if the partnership ends.
- Business and financial interests: protecting companies, family trusts, or investments from uncertainty in the future.
- Inheritance and family wealth: confirming how inherited or gifted assets will be treated during or after the partnership.
- Financial support: outlining arrangements for maintenance or financial contributions if the relationship breaks down.
- Debts and liabilities: clarifying responsibility for existing or future financial obligations.
To be effective, both partners must enter into the agreement voluntarily, after full financial disclosure and having received independent legal advice. Our family law team ensures that every agreement is fair, transparent and compliant with UK civil partnership law, giving it the best chance of being upheld by the court.
Learn more about how we can help you by visiting our prenuptial agreements page.
How We Help with Civil Partnership Dissolutions
When a civil partnership breaks down, the process of dissolution is similar to divorce and follows the same principles under UK civil partnership law. Ending a civil partnership can raise complex questions about finances, property and children, and it is important to approach this stage with clear legal advice and a structured plan.
Our civil partnership lawyers advise clients across England and Wales and internationally on every aspect of civil partnership dissolution, providing the guidance and representation needed to resolve matters efficiently and with dignity. We understand that a relationship breakdown is both emotional and practical, and we work to protect your financial position while helping you move forward with confidence.
We assist with all legal and financial issues that can arise from the dissolution of a civil partnership, including:
- Filing for dissolution: preparing and submitting the required court documentation and managing the legal process on your behalf.
- Financial settlements: negotiating and formalising the division of assets, savings, property, and pensions.
- Pension sharing and maintenance: advising on pension sharing orders, ongoing financial support, and income where appropriate.
- Child arrangements: helping to agree suitable living and contact arrangements that prioritise the welfare of any children involved.
- Business and trust assets: addressing complex ownership structures and safeguarding family or commercial interests.
A civil partnership can be dissolved on the basis that the relationship has irretrievably broken down. Our solicitors will advise on the most appropriate approach for your circumstances, ensuring compliance with all procedural requirements and court deadlines. In many cases, dissolution proceedings can be managed without the need for a court hearing, particularly when both parties agree on financial and child-related matters.
Visit our dedicated civil partnership dissolution page to learn more.
FAQs
- What is the difference between a civil partnership and same-sex marriage?
Civil partnerships and marriages offer the same legal rights and responsibilities in England and Wales. Both provide legal recognition of a couple’s relationship and equality in areas such as property ownership, inheritance, pensions, and tax allowances.
The key distinction lies in the formation and terminology. A civil partnership is formed by signing a civil partnership document, whereas a marriage is formed through vows and a marriage ceremony. Civil partnerships are entirely civil in nature and cannot take place on religious premises, while marriages can be religious or civil.
Both same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples may now choose between marriage or civil partnership, depending on their personal preference.
- What are the advantages of a civil partnership?
A civil partnership provides couples with legal recognition and the same rights and protections as marriage under UK civil partnership law. This includes access to pension benefits, inheritance tax allowances, and next of kin status, as well as the ability to jointly adopt children.
Many couples choose a civil partnership for personal or philosophical reasons, or because they prefer a formal relationship without the religious or traditional associations of marriage. It also offers a clear legal framework for managing finances and property ownership, as well as security for dependants and children.
Contact Us
Whether you are preparing a pre-partnership agreement, or facing the dissolution of a civil partnership, expert legal advice can help you protect your rights and plan for the future with confidence.
To speak to one of our specialist civil partnership solicitors, call 0345 872 6666, or complete our online enquiry form to arrange a confidential discussion. We are here to help you make informed decisions about your relationship and your future.
