Explanatory Notes

Civil Partnership Act 2004

2004 CHAPTER 33

18th November 2004

Commentary on Sections

Part 4 – Civil Partnership: Northern Ireland.Introduction

Chapter 1 - Registration

Section 138: Eligibility

259. Subsection (1) provides that two people are not eligible to register in Northern Ireland as civil partners of each other if –

a)

they are not of the same sex,

b)

either of them is already a civil partner or lawfully married

c)

either of them is under 16

d)

they are within prohibited degrees of relationship (as determined under Schedule 12 –)

e)

either of them is incapable of understanding the nature of a civil partnership