Making it easier for separating couples to manage their finances and property – Law Commission

‘The Law Commission is recommending a set of measures to make it easier for couples to manage their financial affairs on divorce or at the end of a civil partnership.’

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Law Commission, 27th February 2014

Source: www.lawcommission.justice.gov.uk

Gay couple threaten to sue UK government over same-sex marriage – The Guardian

Posted January 27th, 2014 in civil partnerships, divorce, equality, homosexuality, human rights, marriage, news by sally

‘A gay couple from Barnsley are threatening legal action against the government after discovering they will not be able to marry on 29 March, when the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act comes into force, because they are already in a civil partnership.’

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The Guardian, 24th January 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Gay discrimination and Christian belief: Analysis of Bull v. Hall in the Supreme Court – UK Human Rights Blog

‘The recent confirmation by the Supreme Court that it was unlawful discrimination for Christian hotel owners to refuse a double-bedded room to a same-sex couple was of considerable interest as the latest in a string of high-profile cases involving religious belief and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation (and the first such judgment involving the highest court in the land). We have already provided a summary of the facts and judgment here, and our post on the Court of Appeal ruling can be found here.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 11th December 2013

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Finance and Divorce November 2013 Update – Family Law Week

Posted November 8th, 2013 in civil partnerships, divorce, financial provision, news, stay of proceedings by tracey

“Jessica Craigs, senior solicitor and David Salter, Joint Head of Family Law at Mills & Reeve LLP analyse the financial remedies and divorce news and cases published in October.”

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Family Law Week, 7th November 2013

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 – Top Ten guide to the new act by Marisa Allman – Zenith Chambers

Posted July 31st, 2013 in civil partnerships, homosexuality, marriage, news by sally

“This is an Act to make provision for same sex couples in England and Wales and about gender change for married persons and civil partners. It does not;

– Change the law relating to marriage for couples of the opposite sex
– Abolish civil partnership or repeal the Civil Partnership Act 2004
– Extend civil partnership to couples of the opposite sex”

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Zenith Chambers, 24th July 2013

Source: www.zenithchambers.co.uk

Not equal everywhere: legal problems for gay couples who emigrate – Daily Telegraph

“Same-sex couples face continued uncertainty over their legal rights abroad that could leave them vulnerable. Family lawyer Fiona Wood explains more.”

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Daily Telegraph, 30th July 2013

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Gay marriage: freedom of speech and conscience – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

“At the beginning of 2013 11 countries allowed gay marriage to be performed. By the middle of the year that number had increased to 15 with more to come. Some states in the US and Mexico also allow gay marriages to take place and some jurisdictions recognise same-sex marriages conducted elsewhere but do not perform them. While civil partnerships were introduced throughout the UK in 2004, England and Wales and Scotland look likely to be the next jurisdictions to allow same-sex marriage. The Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Bill 2012-13 to 2013-14 regarding England and Wales is already in the House of Lords and the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill has just been introduced. Northern Ireland, by contrast, looks set to stick solely with civil partnerships (and will recognise the other jurisdictions same-sex marriages as such).”

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Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 16th July 2013

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Spinster sisters could win legal right to be treated as married couples, Peers told – Daily Telegraph

Posted June 25th, 2013 in bills, carers, civil partnerships, families, human rights, married persons, news by sally

“The introduction of same-sex marriage could finally open the way for carers and relatives such as unmarried sisters who live together to be given the same legal status as married couples, the House of Lords has been told.”

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Daily Telegraph, 24th June 2013

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

The truth about gay marriage: legally there is nothing to be gained – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

“The law pertaining to same-sex relationships has come a long way. Until the Sexual Offences Act 1967, homosexual relationships were illegal. Until the Civil Partnership Act 2004, there was no way of formalising a homosexual relationship. The debate has now moved to the more intricate matters surrounding the nature of that formalisation, with many people now campaigning for a law which would allow gay marriage.”

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Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 4th June 2013

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Myths and Realities about Equal Marriage – UK Human Rights Blog

“The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill is back before Parliament today for the ‘Report Stage’. The latest version of the Bill is here, updated explanatory notes here, and the full list of proposed amendments here. Predictably, the amendments are the focus of much controversy.”

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UK Human Rights Blog, 20th May 2013

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Gay marriage: Review of civil partnerships possible but not until 2019 – BBC News

Posted May 17th, 2013 in bills, civil partnerships, homosexuality, marriage, news by sally

“Ministers have said they are prepared to review whether civil partnerships should be extended to heterosexual couples but not until 2019.”

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BBC News, 17th May 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Children and same sex families: known biological fathers and contact: the decision in S v D and E / T v X and Y [2013] EWHC – Zenith Chambers

“Where do parents and prospective parents stand after the very recent decision in the case of S v D and E? What can parenting lesbian mothers and the men who donate sperm to enable them to have children expect if there is a disagreement between them as to the role of biological fathers in their children’s lives?”

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Zenith Chambers, 14th February 2013

Source: www.zenithchambers.co.uk

Finance and Divorce Update – Family Law Week

Posted March 6th, 2013 in bills, civil partnerships, divorce, jurisdiction, news, ombudsmen, statistics by sally

“Anna Heenan, solicitor and David Salter, Joint Head of Family Law at Mills & Reeve LLP analyse February’s financial remedies and divorce news and cases.”

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Family Law Week, 5th March 2013

Source: www.familylawweek.com

Heterosexual couples challenge ‘discriminatory’ civil partnerships bar – Daily Telegraph

“Laws restricting civil partnerships to gay couples discriminate against heterosexuals, four straight couples are to argue in a landmark challenge at the European Court of Human Rights.”

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Daily Telegraph, 16th February 2013

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Children: Private Law Update – Family Law Week

“Alex Verdan QC of 4 Paper Buildings considers three important recent judgments in Children private law proceedings.”

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Family Law Week, 13th February 2013

Source: www.familylawweek.com

Gay marriage: some legal inequalities will remain – The Guardian

Posted February 6th, 2013 in appeals, bills, civil partnerships, divorce, equality, homosexuality, marriage, news by sally

“The aim of the marriage (same-sex couples) bill is to ensure that all couples enjoy equal marriage rights. Some elements of legal asymmetry remain, however, under the legislation.”

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The Guardian, 5th February 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Gay marriages: Government publishes legislation – BBC News

Posted January 25th, 2013 in Christianity, civil partnerships, homosexuality, marriage, news by tracey

“Legislation to enable same-sex marriages to take place in England and Wales has been published.”

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BBC News, 25th January 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

What a religious discrimination ruling means for local government – The Guardian

“Councils can expect the backing of the legal system if they insist that employees conduct civil partnerships.”

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The Guardian, 16th January 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Bundesrepublik Deutschland v Dittrich – WLR Daily

Bundesrepublik Deutschland v Dittrich (Joined Cases C-124/11, C-125/11 and C-143/11); [2012] WLR (D) 370

“On the proper interpretation of article 3(1)(c) and 3(3) of Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation, assistance granted to public servants in the event of illness fell within the scope of the Directive if it was the responsibility of the state, as a public employer, to finance it, that being a matter for the national court to determine.”

WLR Daily, 6th December 2012

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

Children: Private Law Update (November 2012) – Family Law Week

Posted November 23rd, 2012 in children, civil partnerships, education, families, news, residence orders by tracey

“Alex Verdan QC of 4 Paper Buildings reviews important recent developments relating to private children law.”

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Family Law week, 22nd November 2012

Source:  www.familylawweek.co.uk