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Part 3 SCivil partnership: Scotland

Chapter 1SFormation and eligibility

85Formation of civil partnership by registrationS

(1)For the purposes of section 1, two people are to be regarded as having registered as civil partners of each other once each of them has signed the civil partnership schedule, in the presence of—

(a)each other,

(b)two witnesses both of whom have attained the age of 16, and

[F1(c)the approved celebrant or, as the case may be, the authorised registrar.]

(2)But the two people must be eligible to be so registered.

(3)Subsection (1) applies regardless of whether subsection (4) is complied with.

(4)After the civil partnership schedule has been signed under subsection (1), it must also be signed, in the presence of the civil partners and each other by—

(a)each of the two witnesses, and

(b)[F2the approved celebrant or, as the case may be,] the authorised registrar.

Textual Amendments

F1S. 85(1)(c) substituted for s. 85(1)(c) and words (16.12.2014) by Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 5), ss. 24(2)(a), 36; S.S.I. 2014/287, art. 3, sch.

86EligibilityS

(1)Two people are not eligible to register in Scotland as civil partners of each other if—

F3(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)they are related in a forbidden degree,

(c)either has not attained the age of 16,

(d)either is married or already in civil partnership, or

(e)either is incapable of—

(i)understanding the nature of civil partnership, or

(ii)validly consenting to its formation.

[F4(2)Subject to subsection (3), a person is related to another person in a forbidden degree if related to that person in a degree specified in Schedule 10.]

(3)[F5A person who is related to another person in a degree specified in paragraph 2 of Schedule 10 (relationships by affinity) is not related to that person] in a forbidden degree if—

(a)both persons have attained the age of 21, and

(b)the younger has not at any time before attaining the age of 18 lived in the same household as the elder and been treated by the elder as a child of the elder’s family.

[F6(3A)For the purposes of paragraph 2 of Schedule 10, “spouse” means—

(a)in the case of a marriage between persons of different sexes, a wife in relation to her husband or a husband in relation to his wife, and

(b)in the case of a marriage between persons of the same sex, one of the parties to the marriage in relation to the other.]

[F7(4)Paragraph 2 of Schedule 10 has effect subject to the modifications specified in subsection (5) in the case of a person (here the “relevant person”) whose gender has become the acquired gender under the Gender Recognition Act 2004 (c. 7).

(5)The reference in [F8subsection (3A)(a) as it applies to] that paragraph to—

(a)a F9... wife of the relevant person includes any F9... husband of the relevant person, and

(b)a F9... husband of the relevant person includes any F9... wife of the relevant person.]

[F10(5A)This section and Schedule 10 have effect as if any reference in that Schedule to a [F11parent] within any of the degrees of relationship specified F12... included a woman who is a parent of a child by virtue of section 42 or 43 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22).]

(6)F13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7)F14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8)References in this section and in Schedule 10 to relationships and degrees of relationship are to be construed in accordance with section 1(1) of the Law Reform (Parent and Child) (Scotland) Act 1986 (c. 9).

(9)For the purposes of this section, a degree of relationship specified in paragraph 1 of Schedule 10 exists whether it is of the full blood or the half blood.

(10)Amend section 41(1) of the Adoption (Scotland) Act 1978 (c. 28) (application to determination of forbidden degrees of provisions of that Act relating to the status conferred by adoption) as follows—

(a)after first “marriage” insert “ , to the eligibility of persons to register as civil partners of each other ”, and

(b)for “and incest” substitute “ , to such eligibility and to incest ”.

Textual Amendments

F7S. 86(4)(5) substituted (4.5.2006) by Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 2), ss. 33, 46(2), { Sch. 1 para. 2(b)}; S.S.I. 2006/212, art. 2 (subject to art. 3-13)

F13S. 86(6) repealed (4.5.2006) by Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 2), ss. 33, 46(2), { Sch. 3}; S.S.I. 2006/212, art. 2 (subject to art. 3-13)

F14S. 86(7) repealed (4.5.2006) by Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 2), ss. 33, 46(2), { Sch. 3}; S.S.I. 2006/212, art. 2 (subject to art. 3-13)

Chapter 2SRegistration

87Appointment of authorised registrarsS

For the purpose of affording reasonable facilities throughout Scotland for [F15civil] registration as civil partners, the Registrar General—

(a)is to appoint such number of district registrars as he thinks necessary, and

(b)may, in respect of any district for which he has made an appointment under paragraph (a), appoint one or more assistant registrars,

as persons who may carry out such registration (in this Part referred to as “authorised registrars”).

Textual Amendments

88Notice of proposed civil partnershipS

(1)In order to register as civil partners, each of the intended civil partners must submit to the district registrar a notice, in the prescribed form F16. . . , of intention to enter civil partnership (in this Part referred to as a “notice of proposed civil partnership”).

(2)[F17Each of the intended civil partners must also pay the prescribed fee and submit the following documents—

(a)that person's birth certificate,]

(b)if that person has previously been married or in civil partnership and—

(i)the marriage or civil partnership has been dissolved, a copy of the decree of divorce or dissolution, or

(ii)the other party to that marriage or civil partnership has died, the death certificate of that other party, and

(c)if that person has previously ostensibly been married or in civil partnership but decree of annulment has been obtained, a copy of that decree.

[F18(2A)If an intended civil partner is a relevant national as defined in section 30A(ab)(i) or (ii) the intended civil partner must also submit—

(a)where the intended civil partner falls within section 30A(ab)(i), an electronic certificate which confirms that the leave referred to in that provision has been granted; or

(b)where the intended civil partner falls within section 30A(ab)(ii)—

(i)a certificate of application which confirms that the application referred to in regulation 4 of the Citizens' Rights (Application Deadline and Temporary Protection) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 has been made; and

(ii)evidence that the relevant period referred to in regulation 4 of those Regulations has not expired.]

(3)If a person is unable to submit a certificate or decree required by subsection (2) he may instead make a declaration to that effect, stating what the reasons are; and he must provide the district registrar with such—

(a)information in respect of the matters to which the certificate or document would have related, and

(b)documentary evidence in support of that information,

as the district registrar may require.

(4)If a document submitted under subsection (2) or (3) is in a language other than English, the person submitting it must[F19, unless subsection (4A) applies,] attach to the document a translation of it in English, certified by the translator as a correct translation.

[F20(4A)This subsection applies where—

(a)the document submitted is accompanied by a multilingual standard form issued by an authority in a Member State of the European Union in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/1191 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and

(b)the district registrar considers that the information included in the multilingual standard form is sufficient for processing the document.]

(5)A person submitting a notice under subsection (1) must make and [F21attest in the prescribed manner] the necessary declaration (the form for which must be included in any form prescribed for the notice).

[F22(5A)Regulations prescribing the form of the notice of proposed civil partnership may make provision for the notice to be electronic rather than paper-based.]

(6)The necessary declaration is a declaration that the person submitting the notice believes that the intended civil partners are eligible to be in civil partnership with each other.

[F23(7)In this section, “the district registrar” means—

(a)where the civil partnership is to be registered in a registration district, the district registrar for that district,

(b)where the civil partnership is to be registered in Scottish waters—

(i)in the case where the civil partnership is to be registered by an approved celebrant, the district registrar for any registration district,

(ii)in the case where the civil partnership is to be registered by an authorised registrar, the district registrar for the registration district of the proposed authorised registrar.]

[F24(8)A district registrar to whom a notice under subsection (1) is submitted may require the person submitting the notice to provide the district registrar with specified nationality evidence relating to each of the intended civil partners.

(9)A requirement under subsection (8) may be imposed at any time—

(a)on or after the submitting of the notice under subsection (1), but

(b)before the district registrar completes the civil partnership schedule.

(10)In subsection (8), “specified nationality evidence” means such evidence of that person's nationality as may be specified in guidance issued by the Registrar General.]

Textual Amendments

F16Words in s. 88(1) omitted (1.10.2006 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.1.2007) by virtue of Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 14), ss. {52(2)(a)}, 63(2); S.S.I. 2006/469, arts. 2, 3, Schs. 1, 2

F17Words in s. 88(2) substituted (1.10.2006 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.1.2007) by Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 14), ss. 52(2)(b), 63(2); S.S.I. 2006/469, arts. 2, 3, Schs. 1, 2

F21Words in s. 88(5) substituted (1.10.2006 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.1.2007) by Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 14), ss. 52(2)(c), 63(2); S.S.I. 2006/469, arts. 2, 3, Schs. 1, 2

F24S. 88(8)-(10) inserted (1.9.2014) by Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 5), ss. 25, 36; S.S.I. 2014/212, art. 2, sch. (as amended (1.9.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/218, art. 2(3), sch.)

Commencement Information

I1S. 88 wholly in force at 5.12.2005; s. 88 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 263; s. 88(1)(5) in force at 14.9.2005 for certain purposes by S.S.I. 2005/428, art. 2, Sch. and otherwise 5.12.2005 insofar as not already in force by S.S.I. 2005/604, art. 2(b); s. 88(2)-(4)(6) in force at 5.12.2005 insofar as not already in force by S.S.I. 2005/604, art. 2(b)

[F2588A.Additional information if party not relevant nationalS

(1)This section applies to a notice of proposed civil partnership submitted to a district registrar in accordance with section 88 if one, or each, of the parties to the proposed civil partnership is not a relevant national.

(2)For each party to the proposed civil partnership who is not a relevant national, the notice must be accompanied by whichever of statements A, B or C is applicable to that person.

(3)Statement A is a statement that the person has the appropriate immigration status.

(4)Statement B is a statement that the person holds a relevant visa in respect of the proposed civil partnership.

(5)Statement C is a statement that the person neither—

(a)has the appropriate immigration status, nor

(b)holds a relevant visa in respect of the proposed civil partnership.

(6)If the notice is accompanied by the statement referred to in the first column of an entry in this table, the notice must also be accompanied by the information and photographs referred to in the second column of that entry (insofar as that entry is applicable to the parties to the proposed civil partnership)—

If the notice is accompanied by this statement.......the notice must also be accompanied by....
Statement A (in respect of one or both of the parties to the proposed civil partnership)For each party in respect of whom statement A is made, details of the particular immigration status which that party has
Statement B (in respect of one or both of the parties to the proposed civil partnership)

1. For each party, a specified photograph of that party

2. For each party in respect of whom statement B is made, details of the relevant visa which that party has

Statement C (in respect of one or both of the parties to the proposed civil partnership)

1. For each party, a specified photograph of that party

2. For each party, the usual address of that party

3. For each party who has previously used any name or names other than the person’s name stated in the civil partnership notice, a statement of the other name or names

4. For each party who currently uses, or has previously used, an alias or aliases, a statement of the alias or aliases.

(7)If the notice is accompanied by more than one of statements A, B and C, subsection (6) must be complied with in relation to each of those statements; but where the notice is accompanied by statements B and C, subsection (6) does not require the notice to be accompanied by more than one specified photograph of each party.

(8)If the notice is accompanied by statement C for a party to the proposed civil partnership—

(a)the notice may also be accompanied by a statement (“statement D”) of that person’s immigration position in the United Kingdom;

(b)if the notice is accompanied by statement D for a party to the proposed civil partnership, the person may provide the district registrar with details of his immigration position in the United Kingdom; and

(c)if any such details are provided, the district registrar must record them.

(9)In this section and section 88B—

(a)a reference—

(i)to a person having the appropriate immigration status, or

(ii)to a person holding a relevant visa,

is to be construed in accordance with section 49 of the 2014 Act;

(b)a reference to the particular immigration status which a person has is a reference to the immigration status set out in any of paragraphs (a) to (c) of section 49(2) of that Act which the person has;

(c)a reference to a person’s immigration position in the United Kingdom includes a reference to the person’s not being entitled to be in the United Kingdom.

(10)In this section “specified photograph” means a photograph that is in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State under section 54(2) of, and paragraph 3 of Schedule 5 to, the 2014 Act (and for this purpose “photograph” includes other kinds of images).

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

88B.Additional evidence if party not relevant nationalS

(1)If a notice of proposed civil partnership to which section 88A applies (“the notice”) is accompanied by statement A (referred to in section 88A(3)), and accordingly is also accompanied by details of the particular immigration status which a party to the proposed civil partnership has, the notice must also be accompanied by specified evidence of that status.

(2)If the notice is accompanied by statement B (referred to in section 88A(4)), the notice must also be accompanied by specified evidence of the holding of the relevant visa by the party to the proposed civil partnership.

(3)If, in accordance with section 88A(6), the notice is accompanied by the usual address of a party to the proposed civil partnership, the notice must also be accompanied by specified evidence that it is that party’s usual address.

(4)If the notice is accompanied by statement D (referred to in section 88A(8)), the notice may also be accompanied by evidence of the person’s immigration position in the United Kingdom.

(5)If subsection (1) or (2) applies to the notice, and the notice is not accompanied by the specified evidence required by that subsection, the notice must be accompanied by—

(a)photographs and addresses of the kinds referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 in the relevant entry in section 88A(6);

(b)as respects the usual address of each party that is provided in accordance with sub-paragraph (a), specified evidence that the address provided is that party’s usual address; and

(c)names and aliases of the kinds referred to in paragraphs 3 and 4 in the relevant entry in section 88A(6) (insofar as those paragraphs are applicable to the proposed civil partnership).

(6)In this section—

  • “relevant entry in section 88A(6)” means the second column of the last entry in the table in section 88A(6);

  • “specified evidence” means evidence that is in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State under section 54(2) of, and paragraph 3 of Schedule 5 to, the 2014 Act.

Textual Amendments

88C.Declaration to accompany information and evidenceS

Where the notice of proposed civil partnership is accompanied by—

(a)information provided in accordance with section 88A, and

(b)information and evidence provided in accordance with section 88B,

that information and evidence must also be accompanied by a declaration in writing and signed by the party who makes it that the party believes all of the information and evidence accompanying the notice to be true.

Textual Amendments

88D.Rejection of false information or evidenceS

(1)A district registrar may reject—

(a)any evidence relating to a party’s nationality provided in accordance with section 88(8),

(b)any information or photograph provided under section 88A or 88B, or

(c)any evidence provided under section 88B,

if (in particular) the district registrar has reasonable grounds for suspecting that the information, photograph or evidence is false.

(2)If the district registrar rejects any information, photograph or evidence, the district registrar may proceed under this Act as if the rejected information, photograph or evidence had not been provided.

(3)This section does not limit the powers of the district registrar to reject anything provided under any other enactment.

(4)In this section “enactment” includes an enactment comprised in, or an instrument made under, an Act of the Scottish Parliament.

Textual Amendments

88E.Notice of proposed civil partnership: treated as not givenS

(1)Where any of the requirements imposed by or under any of the provisions of this Act mentioned in subsection (2) is applicable but not complied with by either or both parties to the proposed civil partnership, the parties are to be taken not to have submitted notice under section 88.

(2)The provisions are—

(a)section 88(8);

(b)section 88A(2) to (7);

(c)section 88B(3) or (5);

(d)paragraph 9 of Schedule 23.

Textual Amendments

88F.Referral of proposed civil partnership to the Secretary of StateS

(1)On every occasion when notice of proposed civil partnership is submitted under section 88, a district registrar must decide whether or not each of the parties to the proposed civil partnership is an exempt person.

(2)But this section does not apply if section 96 applies to the proposed civil partnership.

(3)In making a decision under subsection (1) about a party to a proposed civil partnership, a district registrar may rely on any advice given in relation to that decision by the Secretary of State.

(4)In a case where—

(a)section 88A applies to the notice of proposed civil partnership, and

(b)specified evidence required by section 88B(1) or (2) in relation to a party to the proposed civil partnership is not produced in accordance with that section,

the district registrar must decide that that party to the proposed civil partnership is not an exempt person.

(5)If the district registrar decides that either of the parties is not an exempt person, or that both of the parties are not exempt persons, the registrar must—

(a)refer the proposed civil partnership to the Secretary of State;

(b)notify the parties to the proposed civil partnership that the proposed civil partnership must be referred to the Secretary of State;

(c)give the parties to the proposed civil partnership prescribed information about—

(i)the effects of the referral;

(ii)the requirement under regulations to notify the Secretary of State of changes of address.

(6)The district registrar must act in accordance with regulations when complying with the duty in subsection (5)(a) to refer a proposed civil partnership to the Secretary of State.

(7)If the district registrar refers the proposed civil partnership to the Secretary of State, this Act has effect in relation to the proposed civil partnership subject to the modifications in Schedule 10A.

(8)In this section—

(a)a reference to a person being an exempt person has the same meaning as in section 49 of the 2014 Act;

(b)“prescribed information” means information prescribed in regulations;

(c)“regulations” means regulations made by the Secretary of State under section 54(2) of, and Schedule 5 to, the 2014 Act.]

Textual Amendments

89Civil partnership notice bookS

(1)On receipt of a notice of proposed civil partnership, the district registrar is to enter in a book (to be known as “the civil partnership book”) supplied to him for that purpose by the Registrar General such particulars, extracted from the notice, as may be prescribed and the date of receipt by him of that notice.

(2)The form and content of any page of that book is to be prescribed.

[F26(3)In this section and sections 90, 91, 92 and 94, “the district registrar” means—

(a)where the civil partnership is to be registered in a registration district, the district registrar for that district,

(b)where the civil partnership is to be registered in Scottish waters—

(i)in the case where the civil partnership is to be registered by an approved celebrant, the district registrar to whom the civil partnership notices were submitted,

(ii)in the case where the civil partnership is to be registered by an authorised registrar, the district registrar for the registration district of the proposed authorised registrar.]

[F27(4)Subsection (1) is subject to section 88E.]

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I2S. 89 wholly in force at 5.12.2005; s. 89 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 263; s. 89(1) in force at 14.9.2005 for certain purposes by S.S.I. 2005/428, art. 2, Sch. and otherwise 5.12.2005 insofar as not already in force by S.S.I. 2005/604, art. 2(b); s. 89(2) in force at 14.9.2005 by S.S.I. 2005/428, art. 2, Sch.

90PublicisationS

(1)Where notices of a proposed civil partnership are [F28received by] [F29the district registrar] , he must, as soon as practicable after [F30such receipt](or, if the two documents are not [F31received] on the same day, after [F32the first is received]), publicise the relevant information and send it to the Registrar General who must also publicise it.

(2)“The relevant information” means—

(a)the names of the intended civil partners, and

(b)the date on which it is intended to register them as civil partners of each other, being a date more than [F3328 days] after publicisation by the district registrar under subsection (1).

(3)Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) is subject to section [F3491(1)] .

(4)The manner in which and means by which relevant information is to be publicised are to be prescribed.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I3S. 90 wholly in force at 5.12.2005; s. 90 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 263; s. 90(4) in force at 14.9.2005 by S.S.I. 2005/428, art. 2, Sch.; s. 90(1)-(3) in force at 5.12.2005 by S.S.I. 2005/604, art. 2(b)

91Early registrationS

[F35(1)] [F36Where the district registrar] receives a request in writing from one or both of two intended civil partners that they should be registered as civil partners of each other on a date specified in the request (being a date [F3728 days] or fewer after publicisation by the district registrar under subsection (1) of section 90) [F38the district registrar] may, provided that he is authorised to do so by the Registrar General, fix that date as the date for registration; and if a date is so fixed, paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of that section is to be construed as if it were a reference to that date.

[F39(1A)Unless subsection (1B) applies, if a proposed civil partnership is referred to the Secretary of State under section 88F (“the referred civil partnership”) the Registrar General may not authorise the district registrar to fix the specified date mentioned in subsection (1) as the date for registration of the referred civil partnership without the consent of the Secretary of State.

(1B)This subsection applies if the request made under subsection (1) is made because a party to the referred civil partnership is gravely ill and not expected to recover.]

[F40(2)For the purposes of subsection (1), a request which is made by electronic means is to be treated as in writing if it is received in a form which is legible and capable of being used for subsequent reference.]

Textual Amendments

92Objections to registrationS

(1)Any person may at any time before the registration in Scotland of two people as civil partners of each other submit in writing an objection to such registration to the district registrar.

[F41(1A)For the purpose of subsection (1), an objection which is submitted to the registrar by electronic means is to be treated as in writing if it is received in a form which is legible and capable of being used for subsequent reference.]

(2)But where the objection is that the intended civil partners are not eligible to be in civil partnership with each other because either is incapable of—

(a)understanding the nature of civil partnership, or

(b)validly consenting to its formation,

it shall [F42not be treated as submitted until there has also been produced to the registrar] a supporting certificate [F43attested in the prescribed manner] by a registered medical practitioner.

(3)A person claiming that he may have reason to submit such an objection may, free of charge and at any time when the registration office [F44of the district registrar] is open for public business, inspect any relevant entry in the civil partnership book.

(4)Where the district registrar receives an objection in accordance with subsection (1) he must—

(a)in any case where he is satisfied that the objection relates to no more than a misdescription or inaccuracy in a notice submitted under section 88(1)—

(i)notify the intended civil partners of the nature of the objection and make such enquiries into the matter mentioned in it as he thinks fit, and

(ii)subject to the approval of the Registrar General, make any necessary correction to any document relating to the proposed civil partnership, or

(b)in any other case—

(i)at once notify the Registrar General of the objection, F45...

(ii)pending consideration of the objection by the Registrar General, suspend the completion or issue of the civil partnership schedule in respect of the proposed civil partnership[F46, and

(iii)where, in the case of a civil partnership to be registered by an approved celebrant, the civil partnership schedule has already been issued to the parties, if possible notify that celebrant of the objection and advise the celebrant not to register the civil partnership pending consideration of the objection.]

(5)If the Registrar General is satisfied, on consideration of an objection of which he has received notification under subsection (4)(b)(i) that—

(a)there is a legal impediment to registration, he must direct the district registrar [F47to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the registration of the civil partnership does not take place and must notify, or direct the district registrar to notify, the intended civil partners] accordingly, or

(b)there is no such impediment, he must inform the district registrar to that effect.

(6)For the purposes of this section and section 94, there is a legal impediment to registration where the intended civil partners are not eligible to be in civil partnership with each other.

Textual Amendments

F41S. 92(1A) inserted (1.10.2006 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.1.2007) by Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 14), ss. 52(4)(a), 63(2); S.S.I. 2006/469, arts. 2, 3, Schs. 1, 2

F42Words in s. 92(2) substituted (1.10.2006 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.1.2007) by Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 14), ss. 52(4)(b)(i), 63(2); S.S.I. 2006/469, arts. 2, 3, Schs. 1, 2

F43Words in s. 92(2) substituted (1.10.2006 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.1.2007) by Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 14), ss. 52(4)(b)(ii), 63(2); S.S.I. 2006/469, arts. 2, 3, Schs. 1, 2

93[F48Place of civil registration of civil partnerships]S

(1)Two people may be registered [F49by an authorised registrar] as civil partners of each [F50other—

(a)at the registration office of the authorised registrar,

(b)at an appropriate place in the registration district of the authorised registrar, or

(c)with the approval of the Registrar General, at—

(i)the registration office of another authorised registrar,

(ii)an appropriate place in the registration district of another authorised registrar, or

(iii)an appropriate place in Scottish waters.]

[F51(1A)In this section—

  • “appropriate place” means a place which—

    (a)

    the parties to the intended civil partnership and the local registration authority agree is to be the place of registration, and

    (b)

    is not religious premises,

  • “local registration authority” means—

    (a)

    the local registration authority for the registration district which includes the place, or

    (b)

    where the place is in Scottish waters, the local registration authority for the authorised registrar's registration district,

  • “religious premises” means premises which—

    (a)

    are used solely or mainly for religious purposes, or

    (b)

    have been so used and have not subsequently been used solely or mainly for other purposes.]

F52(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F52(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)“Local registration authority” has the meaning given by section 5(3) of the 1965 Act.

[F53(5)“Scottish Waters” has the meaning given by section 26(2) of the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977 (c. 15).]

Textual Amendments

[F5493ADate and place of registration of religious or belief civil partnershipsS

(1)A religious or belief civil partnership may be registered only on the date and at the place specified in the civil partnership schedule.

(2)But if, for any reason, the civil partnership cannot be registered on that date or at that place and a new date or place is fixed for the registration, the district registrar must—

(a)issue another civil partnership schedule under section 94(2) in place of that already issued, specifying the new date or place, or

(b)substitute, or direct the approved celebrant to substitute, the new date or place in the civil partnership schedule already issued.

(3)Subsection (2) does not apply where—

(a)the new date is more than 3 months after the date for the registration specified in the civil partnership schedule already issued, or

(b)the new place is in a different registration district, is in Scottish waters instead of a registration district or is in a registration district instead of Scottish waters.

(4)In a case falling within subsection (3)(a) or (b) the Registrar General may, according to the circumstances—

(a)direct the district registrar—

(i)to issue another civil partnership schedule under section 94(2) in place of that already issued, specifying the new date or place, or

(ii)to substitute, or direct the approved celebrant to substitute, the new date or place in the civil partnership schedule already issued,

(whichever the Registrar General considers the more appropriate), or

(b)direct each party to the civil partnership to submit to the district registrar a new notice of proposed civil partnership.]

Textual Amendments

94The civil partnership scheduleS

[F55(1)] Where—

(a)the district registrar has received a notice of proposed civil partnership in respect of each of the intended civil partners and—

(i)is satisfied that there is no legal impediment to their registration as civil partners of each other, or

(ii)as the case may be, is informed under section 92(5)(b) that there is no such impediment,

(b)the [F5628 days] mentioned in paragraph (b) of section 90(2) have expired (or as the case may be the date which, by virtue of section [F5791(1)], that paragraph is to be construed as a reference to has been reached), and

(c)the period which has elapsed since the day of receipt of the notices by him (or, if the two notices were not received on the same day, since the day of receipt of the later) does not exceed 3 months,

he is to complete a civil partnership schedule in the prescribed form.

[F58(2)In the case of a civil partnership to be registered by an approved celebrant, the civil partnership schedule completed in accordance with subsection (1) is to be issued by the district registrar to one or both of the parties to the intended civil partnership.

(3)The district registrar may not issue the civil partnership schedule on a date earlier than 7 days before the date of the intended civil partnership unless authorised to do so by the Registrar General.]

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I4S. 94 wholly in force at 5.12.2005; s. 94 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 263; s. 94 in force at 14.9.2005 for certain purposes by S.S.I. 2005/428, art. 2, Sch. and otherwise 5.12.2005 insofar as not already in force by S.S.I. 2005/604, art. 2(b)

[F5994APersons who may register civil partnershipsS

(1)A civil partnership [F60between persons of the same sex] may be registered by and only by—

(a)a person who is—

(i)a celebrant of a religious or belief body prescribed by regulations made by the Scottish Ministers, or who, not being a celebrant, is recognised by a religious or belief body so prescribed as entitled to register civil partnerships [F61between persons of the same sex] on its behalf,

(ii)registered under section 94B [F62to register civil partnerships between persons of the same sex], or

(iii)temporarily authorised under section 94E [F63to register civil partnerships between persons of the same sex], or

(b)a person who is a district registrar or assistant registrar appointed under section 87.

(2)The Scottish Ministers may prescribe a religious or belief body under subsection (1)(a)(i) only if—

(a)the body requests them to do so, and

(b)the Scottish Ministers are satisfied that the body meets the qualifying requirements.

[F64(2A)A civil partnership between persons of different sexes may be registered by and only by—

(a)a person who is—

(i)a celebrant of a religious or belief body prescribed by regulations made by the Scottish Ministers, or who, not being a celebrant, is recognised by a religious or belief body so prescribed as entitled to register civil partnerships between persons of different sexes on its behalf,

(ii)registered under section 94B to register civil partnerships between persons of different sexes, or

(iii)temporarily authorised under section 94E to register civil partnerships between persons of different sexes, or

(b)a person who is a district registrar or assistant registrar appointed under section 87.

(2B)The Scottish Ministers may prescribe a religious or belief body under subsection (2A)(a)(i) only if—

(a)the body requests them to do so, and

(b)the Scottish Ministers are satisfied that the body meets the qualifying requirements.]

(3)For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in subsection (1)(a) [F65, (2)(a), (2A)(a) or (2B)(a)]—

(a)imposes a duty on any religious or belief body to make a request referred to in subsection (2)(a) [F66or subsection (2B)(a)],

(b)imposes a duty on any such body to nominate under section 94B any of its members to be registered as empowered to register civil partnerships [F67between persons of the same sex or between persons of different sexes],

(c)imposes a duty on any person to apply for temporary authorisation under section 94E to register civil partnerships [F68between persons of the same sex or between persons of different sexes],

(d)imposes a duty on any person who is an approved celebrant in relation to civil partnerships to register civil partnerships [F69between persons of the same sex or between persons of different sexes].

(4)In this Part—

(a)any such person as is mentioned in subsection (1)(a) [F70or (2A)(a)] is referred to as an “approved celebrant”,

(b)a civil partnership registered by an approved celebrant is referred to as a “religious or belief civil partnership”,

(c)a civil partnership registered by an authorised registrar is referred to as a “civil registration”.

(5)In subsection (2)(b), the “qualifying requirements” are such requirements as may be set out in regulations made by the Scottish Ministers.

Textual Amendments

F59Ss. 94A-94E inserted (1.9.2014 for specified purposes, 16.12.2014 in so far as not already in force for the insertion of ss. 94A(1)(2)(a)(3)(4), 94B(1)(2)(a)-(c)(4)-(11), 94C, 94D, 94E(1)(3)(5) and otherwise prosp.) by Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 5), ss. 24(13), 36; S.S.I. 2014/212, art. 2, sch. (as amended (1.9.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/218, art. 2(3), sch.); S.S.I. 2014/287, art. 3, sch.

F64S. 94A(2A)(2B) inserted (18.1.2021 for specified purposes, 1.6.2021 for specified purposes) by Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2020 (asp 15), ss. 7(2)(b), 16; S.S.I. 2020/457, reg. 2(b); S.S.I. 2021/23, reg. 2, sch. (with reg. 3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

94BRegistration of nominated persons as celebrantsS

(1)A religious or belief body, not being prescribed by virtue of section 94A(1)(a)(i), may nominate to the Registrar General any of its members who it desires should be registered under this section as empowered to register civil partnerships [F71between persons of the same sex].

[F72(1A)A religious or belief body, not being prescribed by virtue of section 94A(2A)(a)(i), may nominate to the Registrar General any of its members who it desires should be registered under this section as empowered to register civil partnerships between persons of different sexes.]

(2)The Registrar General must reject a nomination under subsection (1) [F73or (1A)] if in the Registrar General's opinion—

(a)the nominating body is not a religious or belief body,

(b)the nominee is not a fit and proper person to register a civil partnership,

(c)there are already registered under this section sufficient members of the same body as the nominee to meet the needs of that body [F74in relation to registering civil partnerships between persons of the same sex or, as the case may be, civil partnerships between persons of different sexes], or

(d)the nominating body does not meet the qualifying requirements.

(3)In subsection (2)(d), the “qualifying requirements” are such requirements as may be set out in regulations made by the Scottish Ministers.

(4)Where the Registrar General accepts a nomination made under subsection (1), the Registrar General—

(a)must determine the period during which the nominee is empowered to register civil partnerships, being a period of not more than 3 years,

(b)may determine that the nominee is empowered to register civil partnerships only in such area or place as the Registrar General may specify, and

(c)may make acceptance of the nominee's registration subject to such other conditions as the Registrar General thinks fit.

(5)Nothing in subsection (4)(a) prevents the Registrar General from accepting a further nomination of that nominee, in accordance with this section, to take effect at any time after the end of the period determined by the Registrar General under subsection (4)(a).

(6)The Registrar General must—

(a)if accepting a nomination made under subsection (1) [F75or (1A)]—

(i)so inform the nominee and the nominating body, specifying the period during which the acceptance has effect and any condition to which the acceptance is subject,

(ii)enter the name of the nominee, the nominating body and such other particulars as the Registrar General thinks fit in a register which the Registrar General must establish and maintain and which must be made available for public inspection at all reasonable times free of charge,

(b)if rejecting a nomination made under subsection (1) [F76or (1A)], by notice in writing inform the nominating body of the reasons for that rejection.

[F77(6A)The register mentioned in subsection (6)(a)(ii) is to be in two parts—

(a)the first part containing the details mentioned in subsection (6)(a)(ii) in relation to persons nominated by religious or belief bodies to register civil partnerships between persons of the same sex, and

(b)the second part containing those details in relation to persons nominated by religious or belief bodies to register civil partnerships between persons of different sexes.]

(7)For the purposes of subsection (6)(b), notice which is given by electronic means is to be treated as in writing if it is received in a form which is legible and capable of being used for subsequent reference.

(8)If the nominating body is aggrieved by a rejection under this section it may, within 28 days of receiving notice of the rejection, appeal to the Scottish Ministers.

(9)On any such appeal the Scottish Ministers may—

(a)direct the Registrar General to accept the nomination, or

(b)confirm the rejection of the nomination,

and must inform the nominating body of their decision and the reason for it; and their decision is final.

(10)If a reason given for confirming the rejection of a nomination is that the nominating body is not a religious or belief body, the body may, within 42 days of receiving notice of the confirmation, appeal against the decision to the Court of Session and seek the determination of that court as to whether the body is a religious or belief body.

(11)If—

(a)the Court determines that the nominating body is a religious or belief body, and

(b)the reason mentioned in subsection (10) was the only reason given for confirming the rejection of the nomination,

the Registrar General must give effect to the determination as if it were a direction under subsection (9)(a) to accept the nomination.

Textual Amendments

F59Ss. 94A-94E inserted (1.9.2014 for specified purposes, 16.12.2014 in so far as not already in force for the insertion of ss. 94A(1)(2)(a)(3)(4), 94B(1)(2)(a)-(c)(4)-(11), 94C, 94D, 94E(1)(3)(5) and otherwise prosp.) by Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 5), ss. 24(13), 36; S.S.I. 2014/212, art. 2, sch. (as amended (1.9.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/218, art. 2(3), sch.); S.S.I. 2014/287, art. 3, sch.

94CRemoval of celebrant's name from registerS

(1)Subject to the provisions of this section, the Registrar General may remove the name of a person registered under section 94B from the register on the ground that—

(a)the person has requested that the person's name should be so removed,

(b)the body which nominated the person under section 94B(1) [F78or (1A)] no longer desires that the person should be so registered,

(c)the person—

(i)has, while registered as an approved celebrant, been convicted of an offence under this Part,

(ii)has, for the purpose of profit or gain, been carrying on a business of registering civil partnerships,

(iii)is not a fit and proper person to register civil partnerships, or

(iv)for any other reason, should not be registered as an approved celebrant.

(2)The Registrar General may not remove the name of a person from the register on any ground mentioned in subsection (1)(c) unless the Registrar General has given the person at least 21 days notice in writing of the intention to do so.

(3)For the purposes of subsection (2), notice which is given by electronic means is to be treated as in writing if it is received in a form which is legible and capable of being used for subsequent reference.

(4)The Registrar General must—

(a)in the notice given under subsection (2), specify the ground of removal and call upon the person to give any reasons, within the period specified in the notice, why the person's name should not be removed from the register, and

(b)consider any representations made within that period by the person.

(5)Where a person's name has been removed from the register on any of the grounds mentioned in paragraph (c) of subsection (1), the person or the body which nominated the person under section 94B(1) [F79or (1A)] may, if aggrieved by the removal, within 28 days of receiving notice of the removal appeal to the Scottish Ministers.

(6)On an appeal under subsection (5) the Scottish Ministers may give any direction they think proper to the Registrar General as to the removal from, or restoration to, the register of the person's name; and such direction is final.

(7)Where a person has received a notice in pursuance of subsection (2), the person must not register a civil partnership unless and until the person's name is restored to the register or, as the case may be, the Registrar General has decided not to remove the person's name from the register.

Textual Amendments

F59Ss. 94A-94E inserted (1.9.2014 for specified purposes, 16.12.2014 in so far as not already in force for the insertion of ss. 94A(1)(2)(a)(3)(4), 94B(1)(2)(a)-(c)(4)-(11), 94C, 94D, 94E(1)(3)(5) and otherwise prosp.) by Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 5), ss. 24(13), 36; S.S.I. 2014/212, art. 2, sch. (as amended (1.9.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/218, art. 2(3), sch.); S.S.I. 2014/287, art. 3, sch.

94DAlterations to register maintained under section 94BS

(1)A body registered in pursuance of section 94B(6)(a)(ii) must notify the Registrar General of any of the following events (if practicable, within 21 days of its occurrence)—

(a)any change in the name or the address of the body or any amalgamation with any other religious or belief body, giving the name and address of any approved celebrant who is a member of the body so registered,

(b)the death of an approved celebrant who is a member of the body so registered,

(c)any change of name, address or designation of an approved celebrant who is a member of the body so registered,

(d)the cessation of an approved celebrant who is a member of the body so registered from exercising the functions of an approved celebrant, giving the person's name and address.

(2)The Registrar General must, on receipt of any such notification, make whatever alteration to the register maintained under section 94B the Registrar General considers necessary or desirable.

Textual Amendments

F59Ss. 94A-94E inserted (1.9.2014 for specified purposes, 16.12.2014 in so far as not already in force for the insertion of ss. 94A(1)(2)(a)(3)(4), 94B(1)(2)(a)-(c)(4)-(11), 94C, 94D, 94E(1)(3)(5) and otherwise prosp.) by Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 5), ss. 24(13), 36; S.S.I. 2014/212, art. 2, sch. (as amended (1.9.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/218, art. 2(3), sch.); S.S.I. 2014/287, art. 3, sch.

94ETemporary authorisation of celebrantsS

(1)The Registrar General may, in accordance with such terms and conditions as may be specified in the authorisation, grant to any member of a religious or belief body a temporary written authorisation to register—

(a)a civil partnership or partnerships specified in the authorisation, or

(b)civil partnerships during such period as is specified in the authorisation.

(2)The Registrar General may grant an authorisation to a person under subsection (1) only if satisfied that the religious or belief body of which the person is a member meets the qualifying requirements.

[F80(2A)An authorisation under subsection (1)(b) may be granted in relation to—

(a)civil partnerships between persons of the same sex only,

(b)civil partnerships between persons of different sexes only, or

(c)both.]

(3)The Registrar General may grant an authorisation to a person under subsection (1)(b) [F81in relation to civil partnerships between persons of the same sex] only if the religious or belief body of which the person is a member—

(a)is prescribed by virtue of section 94A(1)(a)(i), or

(b)has nominated members (whether or not including that person) under section 94B(1).

[F82(3A)The Registrar General may grant an authorisation to a person under subsection (1)(b) in relation to civil partnerships between persons of different sexes only if the religious or belief body of which the person is a member—

(a)is prescribed by virtue of section 94A(2A)(a)(i), or

(b)has nominated members (whether or not including that person) under section 94B(1A).]

(4)In subsection (2), the “qualifying requirements” are such requirements as may be set out in regulations made by the Scottish Ministers.

(5)For the purposes of subsection (1), an authorisation which is issued by electronic means is to be treated as written if it is received in a form which is legible and capable of being used for subsequent reference.]

Textual Amendments

F59Ss. 94A-94E inserted (1.9.2014 for specified purposes, 16.12.2014 in so far as not already in force for the insertion of ss. 94A(1)(2)(a)(3)(4), 94B(1)(2)(a)-(c)(4)-(11), 94C, 94D, 94E(1)(3)(5) and otherwise prosp.) by Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 5), ss. 24(13), 36; S.S.I. 2014/212, art. 2, sch. (as amended (1.9.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/218, art. 2(3), sch.); S.S.I. 2014/287, art. 3, sch.

95Further provision as to registrationS

(1)Before the persons present sign in accordance with section 85 [F83the approved celebrant or, as the case may be,] the authorised registrar is to require the intended civil partners to confirm that (to the best of their knowledge) the particulars set out in the civil partnership schedule are correct.

[F84(1A)In the case of a religious or belief civil partnership, the parties to the civil partnership must, within 3 days of signing the civil partnership schedule in accordance with section 85(4), deliver the civil partnership schedule, or send it by post or arrange that it is delivered, to the district registrar.]

(2)As soon as practicable [F85after—

(a)in the case of a civil registration, the civil partnership schedule has been signed in accordance with section 85, or

(b)in the case of a religious or belief civil partnership, the district registrar receives the civil partnership schedule,

the district registrar] must cause those particulars to be entered in a register (to be known as the “civil partnership register”) supplied to him for that purpose by the Registrar General.

(3)The form and content of any page of that register is to be prescribed.

[F86(3ZA)A civil partnership register may, if the Registrar General so determines, be electronic rather than paper-based.]

[F87(3A)The district registrar must not enter the particulars set out in the civil partnership schedule relating to a religious or belief civil partnership in the civil partnership register unless and until the registrar receives a duly signed civil partnership schedule in respect of that civil partnership.

(3B)Where the Registrar General is satisfied that—

(a)a civil partnership has been properly registered, and

(b)the civil partnership schedule in respect of the civil partnership has been duly signed but has been lost or destroyed,

the Registrar General may direct the district registrar to complete an exact copy of the original civil partnership schedule and, so far as practicable, to arrange for its signature by those persons who signed the original schedule.

(3C)As soon as possible after the copy schedule has been signed, the district registrar must cause the particulars as set out in it to be entered into the civil partnership register.]

(4)A fee payable by the intended civil partners for their [F88civil] registration as civil partners of each other is to be prescribed.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I5S. 95 wholly in force at 5.12.2005; s. 95 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 263; s. 95(3)(4) in force at 14.9.2005 by S.S.I. 2005/428, art. 2, Sch.; s. 95(1)(2) in force at 5.12.2005 insofar as not already in force by S.S.I. 2005/604, art. 2(b)

[F8995ZARegistrar's power to require delivery of civil partnership scheduleS

(1)Where the civil partnership schedule is not delivered to the district registrar within 21 days from the date of registration as entered in the schedule, the registrar may serve a notice in the prescribed form on either of the parties to the civil partnership requiring that party within 8 days from the date of service to deliver the schedule, or send it by post, to the registrar.

(2)If a person on whom a notice has been served under subsection (1) fails to comply with the notice, the district registrar may serve on the person a second notice in the prescribed form requiring the person to attend personally at the registration office of the district registrar, within 8 days from the date of service of the second notice, for the purpose of delivering the civil partnership schedule to the district registrar to enable the registrar to enter the civil partnership in the civil partnership register.]

Textual Amendments

F89S. 95ZA inserted (S.) (1.9.2014 for specified purposes, 16.12.2014 so far as not already in force) by Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 5), ss. 24(15), 36; S.S.I. 2014/212, art. 2, sch. (as amended (1.9.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/218, art. 2(3), sch.); S.S.I. 2014/287, art. 3, sch.

[F9095AValidity following entry in civil partnership registerS

(1)Subsection (2) applies where the particulars set out in a civil partnership schedule signed in accordance with section 85 are entered in the civil partnership register in pursuance of section 95(2) [F91or (3C)].

(2)The validity of the registration as civil partners to which the schedule relates is not to be questioned in any legal proceedings on the ground of failure to comply with a requirement or restriction imposed by or under this Part.

(3)Subsection (2)—

(a)is subject to section 85(2), and

(b)does not prejudice section 100.]

Textual Amendments

96Civil partnership with former spouseS

(1)Where an intended civil partner has a full gender recognition certificate issued under section 5(1) of the Gender Recognition Act 2004 (c. 7) and the other intended civil partner was the other party in the proceedings in which the certificate was issued, the procedures for their registration as civil partners of each other may—

(a)if they so elect, and

(b)if each of them submits a notice under section 88(1) within 30 days after the certificate is issued,

be expedited as follows.

(2)The registration may take place on any of the 30 days immediately following—

(a)that on which the notices are submitted, or

(b)(if the two notices are not submitted on the same day) that on which the later is submitted.

(3)And accordingly there are to be disregarded—

(a)in section 90—

(i)in subsection (2)(b), the words from “being” to the end, and

(ii)subsection (3),

(b)section [F9291(1)], and

(c)in section 94, [F93subsection (1)(b)].

Textual Amendments

97Certificates of no impediment for Part 2 purposesS

(1)This section applies where—

(a)two people propose to register as civil partners of each other under Chapter 1 of Part 2, and

(b)one of them (“A”) resides in Scotland but the other (“B”) resides in England or Wales.

(2)A may submit a notice of intention to register under section 88 as if A and B intended to register as civil partners in the district in which A resides.

(3)If the district registrar is satisfied (after consultation, if he considers it necessary, with the Registrar General) that there is no impediment (in terms of section 92(6)) to A registering as B’s civil partner, he must issue a certificate to A in the prescribed form that there is not known to be any such impediment.

(4)But the certificate may not be issued to A earlier than [F9428 days] after the receipt (as entered in the civil partnership notice book) of the notice under subsection (2) unless—

(a)the circumstances are as mentioned in section 96(1), and

(b)A makes an election for the certificate to be issued as soon as possible.

(5)Any person may, at any time before a certificate is issued under subsection (3), submit to the district registrar an objection in writing to its issue.

[F95(5A)For the purposes of subsection (5), an objection which is submitted by electronic means is to be treated as in writing if it is received in a form which is legible and capable of being used for subsequent reference.]

(6)Any objection made under subsection (5) must be taken into account by the district registrar in deciding whether he is satisfied that there is no legal impediment to A registering as B’s civil partner.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I6S. 97 wholly in force at 5.12.2005; s. 97 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 263; s. 97(3) in force at 14.9.2005 by S.S.I. 2005/428, art. 2, Sch. and otherwise 5.12.2005 insofar as not already in force by S.S.I. 2005/604, art. 2(b); s. 97(1)(2)(4)-(6) in force at 5.12.2005 insofar as not already in force by S.S.I. 2005/604, art. 2(b)

[F9697ASecond civil partnership registrationS

(1)Subsection (2) applies where—

(a)two people have registered a specified relationship (within the meaning of section 213) or a relationship which meets the general conditions (within the meaning of section 214), whether before or after section 10 of the Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2020 comes into force, and

(b)that relationship would result in them being treated as having formed a civil partnership under the law of Scotland (by virtue of section 1(1)(b) and Chapter 2 of Part 5) but for the fact that they cannot prove that the relationship has been registered as mentioned in section 212(1)(b).

(2)An authorised registrar may, on an application made by the parties to the relationship, subject to the approval of the Registrar General and to subsection (3), register their civil partnership as if they had not already registered that relationship with each other.

(3)Sections 85 to 100 apply for the purpose of registering a civil partnership under this section as they apply to registering a civil partnership under section 1, subject to the modifications set out in subsections (4) to (11).

(4)Section 85 (formation of civil partnership by registration) applies as if the words “the approved celebrant or, as the case may be,”, in both places where they occur, were omitted.

(5)Section 86 (eligibility) does not apply in respect of the parties already being in civil partnership with each other.

(6)Section 88 (notice of proposed civil partnership) applies as if after subsection (1) there were inserted—

“(1A)Both parties must submit to the authorised registrar a statutory declaration—

(a)stating that they have previously registered their relationship, and

(b)specifying the date, place and country or territory at which, and the circumstances in which, they did so.”.

(7)Section 93A does not apply.

(8)Section 94 (the civil partnership schedule) applies as if after subsection (1) there were inserted—

“(1A)In the case of a civil partnership to be registered under section 97A, the civil partnership schedule is to contain such modifications as the Registrar General may direct to indicate that the parties have previously entered into a civil partnership with each other.”.

(9)Section 94A (persons who may register civil partnerships) applies as if subsections (1)(a), (2), (2A)(a), (2B), (3), (4)(a) and (b) and (5) were omitted.

(10)Sections 94B to 94E do not apply.

(11)Section 95 (further provision as to registration) applies as if after subsection (2) there were inserted—

“(2A)As soon as practicable after the civil partnership schedule has been signed in accordance with section 85, the authorised registrar must make an endorsement on it in the following terms—

“This civil partnership registration was carried out under section 97A of the Civil Partnership Act 2004, following a statutory declaration by the parties that they registered a relationship with each other on [date] at [place] in [country or territory].”.”.]

Textual Amendments

[F9798Application of certain provisions to civil partnershipsS

(1)The following sections of the 1965 Act apply in relation to the civil partnership register as they apply in relation to the registers of births, marriages and deaths—

(a)section 34 (examination and transmission of registers),

(b)section 38(1) and (2) (search of indexes kept by Registrar General),

(c)section 39C (provision of information to district registrars), and

(d)section 44 (Register of Corrections Etc.).

(2)Section 39A of the 1965 Act (notice of registration events to third parties) applies in relation to a civil partnership as it applies in relation to a marriage.

(3)In that application, the reference in section 39A(2)(c) to the marriage having been registered in accordance with section 15 or 19 of the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977 (c. 15) is to be read as a reference to the particulars of the formation of the civil partnership having been entered in the civil partnership register under section 95(2) of this Act.]

Textual Amendments

F97S. 98 substituted (1.10.2006 for certain purposes and 1.1.2007 for further certain purposes and otherwise prosp.) by Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 14), ss. 52(6), 63(2); S.S.I. 2006/469, arts. 2, 3, Sch. 1, Sch. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

99Correction of errors in civil partnership registerS

(1)No alteration is to be made in the civil partnership register except as authorised by or under this or any other Act (“Act” including an Act of the Scottish Parliament).

(2)Any clerical error in the register or error in it of a kind prescribed may be corrected by the district registrar.

(3)The Registrar General may authorise district examiners (“district examiner” having the meaning given by section 2(1) of the 1965 Act) to correct any error in the register of a type specified by him which they discover during an examination under section 34 of the 1965 Act.

Commencement Information

I7S. 99 wholly in force at 5.12.2005; s. 99 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 263; s. 99(2) in force at 14.9.2005 for certain purposes by S.S.I. 2005/428, art. 2, Sch. and otherwise 5.12.2005 insofar as not already in force by S.S.I. 2005/604, art. 2(b); s. 99(1)(3) in force at 5.12.2005 by S.S.I. 2005/604, art. 2(b)

100OffencesS

(1)A person (“A”) commits an offence who [F98purports to register] in Scotland as the civil partner of another person (“B”) knowing that either or both—

(a)A is already married to or in civil partnership with a person other than B, or

(b)B is already married to or in civil partnership with a person other than A.

(2)A person commits an offence who knowingly—

(a)falsifies or forges any civil partnership document (that is to say, any document issued or made, or purporting to be issued or made, or required, under this Part),

(b)uses, or gives or sends to any person as genuine, any false or forged civil partnership document,

(c)being [F99an approved celebrant or, as the case may be,] an authorised registrar, purports to register two people as civil partners of each other before any civil partnership schedule available to him at the time of registration has been duly completed,

(d)not being [F99an approved celebrant or, as the case may be,] an authorised registrar, conducts himself in such a way as to lead intended civil partners to believe that he is authorised to register them as civil partners of each other,

(e)being [F99an approved celebrant or, as the case may be,] an authorised registrar, purports to register two people as civil partners of each other without both of them being present, or

(f)being an authorised registrar, purports to register two people as civil partners of each other in a place other than [F100in accordance with section 93].

(3)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) or (2) is liable—

(a)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to a fine (or both);

(b)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to a fine not exceeding [F101the statutory maximum] (or both).

[F102(3A)A person commits an offence if the person—

(a)registers a civil partnership in an area or place in which by virtue of section 94B(4)(b) the person is not permitted to register a civil partnership,

(b)registers a civil partnership in contravention of section 94C(7),

(c)being a person temporarily authorised under section 94E—

(i)if authorised under subsection (1)(a) of that section, registers a civil partnership not specified in the authorisation,

(ii)if authorised under subsection (1)(b) of that section, registers a civil partnership outwith the period specified in the authorisation,

(iii)in either case, registers a civil partnership otherwise than in accordance with such terms and conditions as may be specified in the authorisation,

(d)being a party to a civil partnership, fails to comply with a notice served under section 95ZA(2).

(3B)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (3A) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.]

(4)Summary proceedings for an offence under subsection (1)[F103, (2) or (3A)] may be commenced at any time within 3 months after evidence sufficient in the opinion of the Lord Advocate to justify the proceedings comes to his knowledge or within 12 months after the offence is committed (whichever period last expires).

(5)Subsection (3) of section 136 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (c. 46) (time limits) has effect for the purposes of this section as it has for the purposes of that section.

Textual Amendments

F98Words in s. 100(1) substituted (1.9.2014) by Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 5), ss. 28(2)(a), 36; S.S.I. 2014/212, art. 2, sch. (as amended (1.9.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/218, art. 2(3), sch.)

F101Words in s. 100(3)(b) substituted (1.9.2014) by Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 5), ss. 28(2)(b), 36; S.S.I. 2014/212, art. 2, sch. (as amended (1.9.2014) by S.S.I. 2014/218, art. 2(3), sch.)

Chapter 3SOccupancy rights and tenancies

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4Pt. 3 Ch. 3 excluded by 2002 c. 29, s. 269A(5) (as inserted (27.4.2017 for specified purposes, 31.1.2018 for E.W.S. in so far as not already in force) by Criminal Finances Act 2017 (c. 22), ss. 29(5), 58(1)(6); S.I. 2018/78, reg. 3(l))

Occupancy rightsS

101Occupancy rightsS

(1)Where, apart from the provisions of this Chapter, one civil partner in a civil partnership is entitled, or permitted by a third party, to occupy a family home of the civil partnership (that civil partner being referred in this Chapter as an “entitled partner”) and the other civil partner is not so entitled or permitted (a “non-entitled partner”), the non-entitled partner has, subject to the provisions of this Chapter, the following rights—

(a)if in occupation, a right to continue to occupy the family home;

(b)if not in occupation, a right to enter into and occupy the family home.

(2)The rights conferred by subsection (1) to continue to occupy or, as the case may be, to enter and occupy the family home include, without prejudice to their generality, the right to do so together with any child of the family.

(3)In subsection (1), an “entitled partner” includes a civil partner who is entitled, or permitted by a third party, to occupy the family home along with an individual who is not the other civil partner only if that individual has waived a right of occupation in favour of the civil partner so entitled or permitted.

(4)If the entitled partner refuses to allow the non-entitled partner to exercise the right conferred by subsection (1)(b), the non-entitled partner may exercise that right only with the leave of the Court of Session or the sheriff under section 103(3) or (4).

(5)A non-entitled partner may renounce in writing the rights mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) only—

(a)in a particular family home, or

(b)in a particular property which it is intended by the civil partners will become their family home.

(6)A renunciation under subsection (5) has effect only if, at the time of making the renunciation, the non-entitled partner swears or affirms before a notary public that it is made freely and without coercion of any kind.

[F104(6A)Subject to subsection (5), if—

(a)there has been no cohabitation between an entitled partner and a non-entitled partner during a continuous period of two years, and

(b)during that period the non-entitled partner has not occupied the family home,

the non-entitled partner shall, on the expiry of that period, cease to have occupancy rights in the family home.

(6B)A non-entitled partner who has ceased to have occupancy rights by virtue of subsection (6A) may not apply to the court for an order under section 103(1).]

(7)In this Part—

  • “child of the family” means [F105any child or grandchild of either civil partner, and any person who has been brought up or treated by either civil partner as if the person were a child of that partner, whatever the age of such a child, grandchild or person], and

  • “family” means the civil partners in the civil partnership, together with any child [F106, grandchild or person so treated] by them.

(8)In subsection (6), “notary public” includes any person duly authorised, by the law of the country other than Scotland in which the swearing or affirmation takes place, to administer oaths or receive affirmations in that other country.

Textual Amendments

102Occupancy: subsidiary and consequential rightsS

(1)For the purpose of securing the occupancy rights of a non-entitled partner, that partner is, in relation to a family home, entitled without the consent of the entitled partner—

(a)to make any payment due by the entitled partner in respect of rent, rates, secured loan instalments, interest or other outgoings (not being outgoings on repairs or improvements);

(b)to perform any other obligation incumbent on the entitled partner (not being an obligation in respect of non-essential repairs or improvements);

(c)to enforce performance of an obligation by a third party which that third party has undertaken to the entitled partner to the extent that the entitled partner may enforce such performance;

(d)to carry out such essential repairs as the entitled partner may carry out;

(e)to carry out such non-essential repairs or improvements as may be authorised by an order of the court, being such repairs or improvements as the entitled partner may carry out and which the court considers to be appropriate for the reasonable enjoyment of the occupancy rights;

(f)to take such other steps, for the purpose of protecting the occupancy rights of the non-entitled partner, as the entitled partner may take to protect the occupancy rights of the entitled partner.

(2)Any payment made under subsection (1)(a) or any obligation performed under subsection (1)(b) has effect in relation to the rights of a third party as if the payment were made or the obligation were performed by the entitled partner; and the performance of an obligation which has been enforced under subsection (1)(c) has effect as if it had been enforced by the entitled partner.

(3)Where there is an entitled and a non-entitled partner, the court, on the application of either of them, may, having regard in particular to the respective financial circumstances of the partners, make an order apportioning expenditure incurred or to be incurred by either partner—

(a)without the consent of the other partner, on any of the items mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (d) of subsection (1);

(b)with the consent of the other partner, on anything relating to a family home.

(4)Where both partners are entitled, or permitted by a third party, to occupy a family home—

(a)either partner is entitled, without the consent of the other partner, to carry out such non-essential repairs or improvements as may be authorised by an order of the court, being such repairs or improvements as the court considers to be appropriate for the reasonable enjoyment of the occupancy rights;

(b)the court, on the application of either partner, may, having regard in particular to the respective financial circumstances of the partners, make an order apportioning expenditure incurred or to be incurred by either partner, with or without the consent of the other partner, on anything relating to the family home.

(5)Where one partner (“A”) owns or hires, or is acquiring under a hire-purchase or conditional sale agreement, furniture and plenishings in a family home—

(a)the other partner may, without the consent of A—

(i)make any payment due by A which is necessary, or take any other step which A is entitled to take, to secure the possession or use of any such furniture and plenishings (and any such payment is to have effect in relation to the rights of a third party as if it were made by A), or

(ii)carry out such essential repairs to the furniture and plenishings as A is entitled to carry out;

(b)the court, on the application of either partner, may, having regard in particular to the respective financial circumstances of the partners, make an order apportioning expenditure incurred or to be incurred by either partner—

(i)without the consent of the other partner, in making payments under a hire, hire-purchase or conditional sale agreement, or in paying interest charges in respect of the furniture and plenishings, or in carrying out essential repairs to the furniture and plenishings, or

(ii)with the consent of the other partner, on anything relating to the furniture or plenishings.

(6)An order under subsection (3), (4)(b) or (5)(b) may require one partner to make a payment to the other partner in implementation of the apportionment.

(7)Any application under subsection (3), (4)(b) or (5)(b) is to be made within 5 years after the date on which any payment in respect of such incurred expenditure was made.

(8)Where—

(a)the entitled partner is a tenant of a family home,

(b)possession of it is necessary in order to continue the tenancy, and

(c)the entitled partner abandons such possession,

the tenancy is continued by such possession by the non-entitled partner.

(9)In this section “improvements” includes alterations and enlargement.

103Regulation by court of rights of occupancy of family homeS

(1)[F107Subject to section 101(6A),] Where there is an entitled and a non-entitled partner, or where both partners are entitled, or permitted by a third party, to occupy a family home, either partner may apply to the court for an order—

(a)declaring the occupancy rights of the applicant partner;

(b)enforcing the occupancy rights of the applicant partner;

(c)restricting the occupancy rights of the non-applicant partner;

(d)regulating the exercise by either partner of his or her occupancy rights;

(e)protecting the occupancy rights of the applicant partner in relation to the other partner.

(2)Where one partner owns or hires, or is acquiring under a hire-purchase or conditional sale agreement, furniture and plenishings in a family home and the other partner has occupancy rights in that home, that other person may apply to the court for an order granting to the applicant the possession or use in the family home of any such furniture and plenishings; but, subject to section 102, an order under this subsection does not prejudice the rights of any third party in relation to the non-performance of any obligation under such hire-purchase or conditional sale agreement.

(3)The court is to grant an application under subsection (1)(a) if it appears to the court that the application relates to a family home; and, on an application under any of paragraphs (b) to (e) of subsection (1) or under subsection (2), the court may make such order relating to the application as appears to it to be just and reasonable having regard to all the circumstances of the case including—

(a)the conduct of the partners, whether in relation to each other or otherwise,

(b)the respective needs and financial resources of the partners,

(c)the needs of any child of the family,

(d)the extent (if any) to which—

(i)the family home, and

(ii)in relation only to an order under subsection (2), any item of furniture and plenishings referred to in that subsection, is used in connection with a trade, business or profession of either partner, and

(e)whether the entitled partner offers or has offered to make available to the non-entitled partner any suitable alternative accommodation.

(4)Pending the making of an order under subsection (3), the court, on the application of either partner, may make such interim order as it considers necessary or expedient in relation to—

(a)the residence of either partner in the home to which the application relates,

(b)the personal effects of either partner or of any child of the family, or

(c)the furniture and plenishings,

but an interim order may be made only if the non-applicant partner has been afforded an opportunity of being heard by or represented before the court.

(5)The court is not to make an order under subsection (3) or (4) if it appears that the effect of the order would be to exclude the non-applicant partner from the family home.

(6)If the court makes an order under subsection (3) or (4) which requires the delivery to one partner of anything which has been left in or removed from the family home, it may also grant a warrant authorising a messenger-at-arms or sheriff officer to enter the family home or other premises occupied by the other partner and to search for and take possession of the thing required to be delivered, (if need be by opening shut and lockfast places) and to deliver the thing in accordance with the order.

(7)A warrant granted under subsection (6) is to be executed only after expiry of such period as the court is to specify in the order for delivery.

(8)Where it appears to the court—

(a)on the application of a non-entitled partner, that the applicant has suffered a loss of occupancy rights or that the quality of the applicant’s occupation of a family home has been impaired, or

(b)on the application of a partner who has been given the possession or use of furniture and plenishings by virtue of an order under subsection (3), that the applicant has suffered a loss of such possession or use or that the quality of the applicant’s possession or use of the furniture and plenishings has been impaired,

in consequence of any act or default on the part of the other partner which was intended to result in such loss or impairment, it may order that other partner to pay to the applicant such compensation as it considers just and reasonable in respect of that loss or impairment.

(9)A partner may renounce in writing the right to apply under subsection (2) for the possession or use of any item of furniture and plenishings.

Textual Amendments

104Exclusion ordersS

(1)Where there is an entitled and non-entitled partner, or where both partners are entitled, or permitted by a third party, to occupy a family home, either partner, whether or not that partner is in occupation at the time of the application, may apply to the court for an order (in this Chapter referred to as “an exclusion order”) suspending the occupancy rights of the other partner (“the non-applicant partner”) in a family home.

(2)Subject to subsection (3), the court is to make an exclusion order if it appears to it that to do so is necessary for the protection of the applicant or any child of the family from any conduct, or threatened or reasonably apprehended conduct, of the non-applicant partner which is or would be injurious to the physical or mental health of the applicant or child.

(3)The court is not to make an exclusion order if it appears to it that to do so would be unjustified or unreasonable—

(a)having regard to all the circumstances of the case including the matters specified in paragraphs (a) to (e) of section 103(3), and

(b)where the family home—

(i)is, or is part of, an agricultural holding within the meaning of section 1 of the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991 (c. 55), or

(ii)is let, or is a home in respect of which possession is given, to the non-applicant partner or to both partners by an employer as an incident of employment,

having regard to any requirement that the non-applicant partner, or, as the case may be, both partners must reside in the family home and to the likely consequences of the exclusion of the non-applicant partner from the family home.

(4)In making an exclusion order the court is, on the application of the applicant partner—

(a)to grant a warrant for the summary ejection of the non-applicant partner from the family home unless the non-applicant partner satisfies the court that it is unnecessary for it to grant such a remedy,

(b)to grant an interdict prohibiting the non-applicant partner from entering the family home without the express permission of the applicant, and

(c)to grant an interdict prohibiting the removal by the non-applicant partner, except with the written consent of the applicant or by a further order of the court, of any furniture and plenishings in the family home unless the non-applicant partner satisfies the court that it is unnecessary for it to grant such a remedy.

(5)In making an exclusion order the court may—

(a)grant an interdict prohibiting the non-applicant partner from entering or remaining in a specified area in the vicinity of the family home;

(b)where the warrant for the summary ejection of the non-applicant partner has been granted in that partner’s absence, give directions as to the preservation of that partner’s goods and effects which remain in the family home;

(c)on the application of either partner, make the exclusion order or the warrant or interdict mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of subsection (4) or paragraph (a) of this subsection subject to such terms and conditions as the court may prescribe;

(d)on the application of either partner, make such other order as it considers necessary for the proper enforcement of an order made under subsection (4) or paragraph (a), (b) or (c).

(6)Pending the making of an exclusion order, the court may, on the application of the applicant partner, make an interim order suspending the occupancy rights of the non-applicant partner in the family home to which the application for the exclusion order relates; and subsections (4) and (5) apply to such an interim order as they apply to an exclusion order.

(7)But an interim order may be made only if the non-applicant partner has been afforded an opportunity of being heard by or represented before the court.

(8)Without prejudice to subsections (1) and (6), where both partners are entitled, or permitted by a third party, to occupy a family home, it is incompetent for one partner to bring an action of ejection from the family home against the other partner.

105Duration of orders under sections 103 and 104S

(1)The court may, on the application of either partner, vary or recall any order made by it under section 103 or 104.

(2)Subject to subsection (3), any such order, unless previously so varied or recalled, ceases to have effect—

(a)on the dissolution of the civil partnership,

(b)subject to section 106(1), where there is an entitled and non-entitled partner, on the entitled partner ceasing to be an entitled partner in respect of the family home to which the order relates, or

(c)where both partners are entitled, or permitted by a third party, to occupy the family home, on both partners ceasing to be so entitled or permitted.

(3)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2), an order under section 103(3) or (4) which grants the possession or use of furniture and plenishings ceases to have effect if the furniture and plenishings cease to be permitted by a third party to be retained in the family home.

106Continued exercise of occupancy rights after dealingS

(1)Subject to subsection (3)—

(a)the continued exercise of the rights conferred on a non-entitled partner by the provisions of this Chapter in respect of a family home are not prejudiced by reason only of any dealing of the entitled partner relating to that home, and

(b)a third party is not by reason only of such a dealing entitled to occupy that home or any part of it.

[F108(1A)The occupancy rights of a non-entitled partner in relation to a family home shall not be exercisable in relation to the home where, following a dealing of the entitled partner relating to the home—

(a)a person acquires the home, or an interest in it, in good faith and for value from a person other than the person who is or, as the case may be, was the entitled partner, or

(b)a person derives title to the home from a person who acquired title as mentioned in paragraph (a).]

(2)In this section and section 107—

  • “dealing” includes the grant of a heritable security and the creation of a trust but does not include a conveyance under section 80 of the Lands Clauses Consolidation Act 1845 (c. 18);

  • “entitled partner” does not include a civil partner who, apart from the provisions of this Chapter—

    (a)

    is permitted by a third party to occupy a family home, or

    (b)

    is entitled to occupy a family home along with an individual who is not the other civil partner whether or not that individual has waived a right of occupation in favour of the civil partner so entitled,

    (“non-entitled partner” being construed accordingly).

(3)This section does not apply in any case where—

(a)the non-entitled partner in writing either—

(i)consents or has consented to the dealing (any consent being in such form as the Scottish Ministers may, by regulations made by statutory instrument, prescribe), or

(ii)renounces or has renounced occupancy rights in relation to the family home or property to which the dealing relates,

(b)the court has made an order under section 107 dispensing with the consent of the non-entitled partner to the dealing,

(c)the dealing occurred, or implements a binding obligation entered into by the entitled partner, before the registration of the civil partnership,

(d)the dealing occurred, or implements a binding obligation entered into, before the commencement of this section,

(e)the dealing comprises a [F109transfer for value] to a third party who has acted in good faith, if there is produced to the third party by the [F110transferor—

(i)a written declaration signed by the transferor, or a person acting on behalf of the transferor under a power of attorney or as a guardian (within the meaning of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 (asp 4)), that the subjects of the transfer are not, or were not at the time of the dealing, a family home in relation to which a civil partner of the transferor has or had occupancy rights, or

(ii)a renunciation of occupancy rights or consent to the dealing which bears to have been properly made or given by the non-entitled partner or a person acting on behalf of the non-entitled partner under a power of attorney or as a guardian (within the meaning of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 (asp 4)).]

(f)the entitled partner has permanently ceased to be entitled to occupy the family home, and at any time after that a continuous period of [F1112] years has elapsed during which the non-entitled partner has not occupied the family home.

(4)For the purposes of subsection (3)(e), the time of the dealing, in the case of the sale of an interest in heritable property, is the date of delivery to the purchaser of the deed transferring title to that interest.

Textual Amendments

107Dispensation with civil partner’s consent to dealingS

(1)[F112Subject to subsections (1A) and (1C),] The court may, on the application of an entitled partner or any other person having an interest, make an order dispensing with the consent of a non-entitled partner to a dealing which has taken place or a proposed dealing, if—

(a)such consent is unreasonably withheld,

(b)such consent cannot be given by reason of physical or mental disability, or

(c)the non-entitled partner cannot be found after reasonable steps have been taken to trace that partner.

[F113(1A)Subsection (1B) applies if, in relation to a proposed sale—

(a)negotiations with a third party have not begun, or

(b)negotiations have begun but a price has not been agreed.

(1B)An order under subsection (1) dispensing with consent may be made only if—

(a)the price agreed for the sale is no less than such amount as the court specifies in the order, and

(b)the contract for the sale is concluded before the expiry of such period as may be so specified.

(1C)Subsection (1D) applies if the proposed dealing is the grant of a heritable security.

(1D)An order under subsection (1) dispensing with consent may be made only if—

(a)the heritable security is granted for a loan of no more than such amount as the court specifies in the order, and

(b)the security is executed before the expiry of such period as may be so specified.]

(2)For the purposes of subsection (1)(a), a non-entitled partner has unreasonably withheld consent to a dealing which has taken place or a proposed dealing, where it appears to the court either—

(a)that the non-entitled partner—

(i)has led the entitled partner to believe that the non-entitled partner would consent to the dealing, and

(ii)would not be prejudiced by any change in the circumstances of the case since the conduct which gave rise to that belief occurred, or

(b)that the entitled partner has, having taken all reasonable steps to do so, been unable to obtain an answer to a request for consent.

(3)The court, in considering whether to make an order under subsection (1), is to have regard to all the circumstances of the case including the matters specified in paragraphs (a) to (e) of section 103(3).

[F114(3A)If the court refuses an application for an order under subsection (1), it may make an order requiring a non-entitled partner who is or becomes the occupier of the family home—

(a)to make such payments to the owner of the home in respect of that partner's occupation of it as may be specified in the order,

(b)to comply with such other conditions relating to that partner's occupation of the family home as may be so specified.]

(4)Where—

(a)an application is made for an order under this section, and

(b)an action is or has been raised by a non-entitled partner to enforce occupancy rights,

the action is to be sisted until the conclusion of the proceedings on the application.

Textual Amendments

108Interests of heritable creditorsS

(1)The rights of a third party with an interest in the family home as a creditor under a secured loan in relation to the non-performance of any obligation under the loan are not prejudiced by reason only of the occupancy rights of the non-entitled partner; but where a non-entitled partner has or obtains occupation of a family home and—

(a)the entitled partner is not in occupation, and

(b)there is a third party with such an interest in the family home,

the court may, on the application of the third party, make an order requiring the non-entitled partner to make any payment due by the entitled partner in respect of the loan.

(2)This section does not apply to secured loans in respect of which the security was granted prior to the commencement of section 13 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1985 (c. 73) unless the third party in granting the secured loan acted in good faith and there was produced to the third party by the entitled partner—

(a)[F115a written declaration signed] by the entitled partner declaring that there is no non-entitled partner, or

(b)a renunciation of occupancy rights or consent to the taking of the loan which bears to have been properly made or given by the non-entitled partner.

(3)This section does not apply to secured loans in respect of which the security was granted after the commencement of section 13 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1985 (c. 73) unless the third party in granting the secured loan acted in good faith and there was produced to the third party by the grantor—

(a)[F116a written declaration signed] by the grantor declaring that the security subjects are not or were not at the time of the granting of the security a family home in relation to which a civil partner of the grantor has or had occupancy rights, or

(b)a renunciation of occupancy rights or consent to the granting of the security which bears to have been properly made or given by the non-entitled partner.

(4)For the purposes of subsections (2) and (3), the time of granting a security, in the case of a heritable security, is the date of delivery of the deed creating the security.

Textual Amendments

109Provisions where both civil partners have titleS

(1)Subject to subsection (2), where, apart from the provisions of this Chapter, both civil partners are entitled to occupy a family home—

(a)the rights in that home of one civil partner are not prejudiced by reason only of any dealing of the other civil partner, and

(b)a third party is not by reason only of such a dealing entitled to occupy that home or any part of it.

(2)Sections 106(3) and 107 and the definition of “dealing” in section 106(2) apply for the purposes of subsection (1) as they apply for the purposes of section 106(1) but subject to the following modifications—

(a)any reference to the entitled partner and to the non-entitled partner is to be construed as a reference to a civil partner who has entered into, or as the case may be proposes to enter into, a dealing and to the other civil partner respectively, and

(b)in paragraph (b) of section 107(4) the reference to occupancy rights is to be construed as a reference to any rights in the family home.

110Rights of occupancy in relation to division and saleS

Where a civil partner brings an action for the division and sale of a family home owned in common with the other civil partner, the court, after having regard to all the circumstances of the case including—

(a)the matters specified in paragraphs (a) to (d) of section 103(3), and

(b)whether the civil partner bringing the action offers or has offered to make available to the other civil partner any suitable alternative accommodation,

may refuse to grant decree in that action or may postpone the granting of decree for such period as it considers reasonable in the circumstances or may grant decree subject to such conditions as it may prescribe.

111AdjudicationS

(1)Where a family home as regards which there is an entitled partner and a non-entitled partner is adjudged, the Court of Session, on the application of the non-entitled partner made within 40 days after the date of the decree of adjudication, may—

(a)order the reduction of the decree, or

(b)make such order as it thinks appropriate to protect the occupancy rights of the non-entitled partner,

if satisfied that the purpose of the diligence was wholly or mainly to defeat the occupancy rights of the non-entitled partner.

(2)Section 106(2) applies in construing “entitled partner” and “non-entitled partner” for the purposes of subsection (1).

[F117111AEffect of court action under section 103, 104 or 105 on reckoning of periods in sections 101 and 106S

(1)Subsection (2) applies where an application is made under section 103(1), 104(1) or 105(1).

(2)In calculating the period of two years mentioned in section 101(6A)(a) or 106(3)(f), no account shall be taken of the period mentioned in subsection (3).

(3)The period is the period beginning with the date on which the application is made and—

(a)in the case of an application under section 103(1) or 104(1), ending on the date on which—

(i)an order under section 103(3) or, as the case may be, 104(2) is made, or

(ii)the application is otherwise finally determined or abandoned,

(b)in the case of an application under section 105(1), ending on the date on which—

(i)the order under section 103(3) or, as the case may be, 104(2) is varied or recalled, or

(ii)the application is otherwise finally determined or abandoned.]

Textual Amendments

Transfer of tenancyS

112Transfer of tenancyS

(1)The court may, on the application of a non-entitled partner, make an order transferring the tenancy of a family home to that partner and providing, subject to subsection (12), for the payment by the non-entitled partner to the entitled partner of such compensation as seems to it to be just and reasonable in all the circumstances of the case.

(2)In an action—

(a)for dissolution of a civil partnership, the Court of Session or the sheriff,

(b)for declarator of nullity of a civil partnership, the Court of Session,

may, on granting decree or within such period as the court may specify on granting decree, make an order granting an application under subsection (1).

(3)In determining whether to grant an application under subsection (1), the court is to have regard to all the circumstances of the case including the matters specified in paragraphs (a) to (e) of section 103(3) and the suitability of the applicant to become the tenant and the applicant’s capacity to perform the obligations under the lease of the family home.

(4)The non-entitled partner is to serve a copy of an application under subsection (1) on the landlord and, before making an order under subsection (1), the court is to give the landlord an opportunity of being heard by it.

(5)On the making of an order granting an application under subsection (1), the tenancy vests in the non-entitled partner without intimation to the landlord, subject to all the liabilities under the lease (other than liability for any arrears of rent for the period before the making of the order).

(6)The arrears mentioned in subsection (5) are to remain the liability of the original entitled partner.

(7)The clerk of court is to notify the landlord of the making of an order granting an application under subsection (1).

(8)It is not competent for a non-entitled partner to apply for an order under subsection (1) where the family home—

(a)is let to the entitled partner by the entitled partner’s employer as an incident of employment, and the lease is subject to a requirement that the entitled partner must reside there,

(b)is or is part of an agricultural holding,

(c)is on, or pertains to—

(i)a croft,

(ii)the subject of a cottar, or

(iii)the holding of a landholder or of a statutory small tenant,

(d)is let on a long lease, or

(e)is part of the tenancy land of a tenant-at-will.

(9)In subsection (8)—

  • “agricultural holding” has the same meaning as in section 1 of the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991 (c. 55),

  • “cottar” has the same meaning as in section 12(5) of the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993 (c. 44),

  • “croft” has the same meaning as in that Act of 1993,

  • “holding”, in relation to a landholder and a statutory small tenant, “landholder” and “statutory small tenant” have the same meanings respectively as in sections 2(1), 2(2) and 32(1) of the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act 1911 (c. 49),

  • “long lease” has the same meaning as in section [F1189(2) of the Land Registration etc. (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 5)], and

  • “tenant-at-will” has the same meaning as in section 20(8) of that Act of 1979.

(10)Where both civil partners are joint or common tenants of a family home, the court may, on the application of one of the civil partners, make an order vesting the tenancy in that civil partner solely and providing, subject to subsection (12), for the payment by the applicant to the other partner of such compensation as seems just and reasonable in the circumstances of the case.

(11)Subsections (2) to (9) apply for the purposes of an order under subsection (10) as they apply for the purposes of an order under subsection (1) but subject to the following modifications—

(a)in subsection (3), for “tenant” there is substituted “ sole tenant ”;

(b)in subsection (4), for “non-entitled” there is substituted “ applicant ”;

(c)in subsection (5), for “non-entitled” there is substituted “ applicant ”,

(d)in subsection (6), for “liability of the original entitled partner” there is substituted “ joint and several liability of both partners ”;

(e)in subsection (8)—

(i)for “a non-entitled” there is substituted “ an applicant ”,

(ii)for paragraph (a) there is substituted—

“(a)is let to both partners by their employer as an incident of employment, and the lease is subject to a requirement that both partners must reside there;”, and

(iii)paragraphs (c) and (e) are omitted.

(12)Where the family home is a Scottish secure tenancy within the meaning of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 (asp 10), no account is to be taken, in assessing the amount of any compensation to be awarded under subsection (1) or (10), of the loss, by virtue of the transfer of the tenancy of the home, of a right to purchase the home under Part 3 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 (c. 26).

Textual Amendments

Chapter 4SInterdicts

113Civil partners: competency of interdictS

(1)It shall not be incompetent for the Court of Session or the sheriff to entertain an application by one civil partner in a civil partnership for a relevant interdict by reason only that the civil partners are living together in civil partnership.

(2)In subsection (1) F119. . . , “relevant interdict” means an interdict, including an interim interdict, which—

(a)restrains or prohibits any conduct of one civil partner towards the other civil partner or a child of the family, or

[F120(b)subject to subsection (3), prohibits a civil partner from entering or remaining in—

(i)a family home,

(ii)any other residence occupied by the applicant civil partner,

(iii)any place of work of the applicant civil partner,

(iv)any school attended by a child in the permanent or temporary care of the applicant civil partner]

[F121(3)Subsection (4) applies if in relation to a family home the non-applicant civil partner—

(a)is an entitled partner, or

(b)has occupancy rights.

(4)Except where subsection (5) applies, the court may not grant a relevant interdict prohibiting the non-applicant civil partner from entering or remaining in the family home.

(5)This subsection applies if—

(a)the interdict is ancillary to an exclusion order, or

(b)by virtue of section 101(4), the court refuses leave to exercise occupancy rights.

(6)In this section F122. . . , “applicant civil partner” means the civil partner who has applied for the interdict; and “non-applicant civil partner” is to be construed accordingly.]

Textual Amendments

114. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .S

F123. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

115. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .S

F124. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

116. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .S

F125. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Chapter 5SDissolution, separation and nullity

Dissolution and separationS

117DissolutionS

(1)An action for the dissolution of a civil partnership may be brought in the Court of Session or in the sheriff court.

(2)In such an action the court may grant decree, if, but only if, it is established that—

(a)the civil partnership has broken down irretrievably, or

(b)[F126subject to subsection (3A),] an interim gender recognition certificate under the Gender Recognition Act 2004 (c. 7) has, after the date of registration of the civil partnership, been issued to either of the civil partners.

(3)The irretrievable breakdown of a civil partnership is taken to be established if—

(a)since the date of registration of the civil partnership the defender has at any time behaved (whether or not as a result of mental abnormality and whether such behaviour has been active or passive) in such a way that the pursuer cannot reasonably be expected to cohabit with the defender,

(b)F127. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)there has been no cohabitation between the civil partners at any time during a continuous period of [F128one year] after the date of registration of the civil partnership and immediately preceding the bringing of the action and the defender consents to the granting of decree of dissolution of the civil partnership, or

(d)there has been no cohabitation between the civil partners at any time during a continuous period of [F129two] years after that date and immediately preceding the bringing of the action.

[F130(3A)Subsection (2)(b)—

(a)does not apply where, under the Gender Recognition Act 2004, a Gender Recognition Panel issues a full gender recognition certificate to the person to whom the interim gender recognition certificate was issued, but

(b)continues to apply despite a full gender recognition certificate being issued to that person by the sheriff under section 4E of that Act.]

(4)Provision is to be made by act of sederunt—

(a)for the purpose of ensuring that, in an action to which paragraph (c) of subsection (3) relates, the defender has been given such information as enables that civil partner to understand—

(i)the consequences of consenting to the granting of decree, and

(ii)the steps which must be taken to indicate such consent, and

(b)as to the manner in which the defender in such an action is to indicate such consent, and any withdrawal of such consent,

and where the defender has indicated (and not withdrawn) such consent in the prescribed manner, that indication is sufficient evidence of such consent.

(5)Provision is to be made by act of sederunt for the purpose of ensuring that, where in an action for the dissolution of a civil partnership the defender is suffering from mental illness, the court appoints a curator ad litem to the defender.

(6)F131. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7)F132. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8)In an action for dissolution of a civil partnership the standard of proof required to establish the ground of action is on balance of probability.

Textual Amendments

F128Words in s. 117(3)(c) substituted (4.5.2006) by Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 2), ss. 33, 46(2), Sch. 1 para. 9(a); S.S.I. 2006/212, art. 2 (subject to arts. 3-13)

F129Word in s. 117(3)(d) substituted (4.5.2006) by Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 2), ss. 33, 46(2), Sch. 1 para. 9(b); S.S.I. 2006/212, art. 2 (subject to arts. 3-13)

118Encouragement of reconciliationS

(1)At any time before granting decree in an action by virtue of paragraph (a) of section 117(2) for dissolution of a civil partnership, if it appears to the court that there is a reasonable prospect of a reconciliation between the civil partners it must continue, or further continue, the action for such period as it thinks proper to enable attempts to be made to effect such a reconciliation.

(2)If during any such continuation the civil partners cohabit with one another, no account is to be taken of such cohabitation for the purposes of that action.

119Effect of resumption of cohabitationS

(1)F133. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2)F134. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)In considering whether any period mentioned in paragraph F135. . . , (c) or (d) of section 117(3) has been continuous, no account is to be taken of any period or periods not exceeding 6 months in all during which the civil partners cohabited with one another; but no such period or periods during which the civil partners cohabited with one another is to count as part of the period of non-cohabitation required by any of those paragraphs.

Textual Amendments

F135Word in s. 119(3) repealed (4.5.2006) by Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 2), ss. 45(2), 46(2), Sch. 3; S.S.I. 2006/212, art. 2 (subject to arts. 3-13)

120SeparationS

(1)An action for the separation of the civil partners in a civil partnership may be brought in the Court of Session or in the sheriff court.

(2)In such an action the court may grant decree if satisfied that the circumstances set out in any of paragraphs (a) to (d) of section 117(3) are established.

121Dissolution following on decree of separationS

(1)The court may grant decree in an action for the dissolution of a civil partnership even though decree of separation has previously been granted to the pursuer on the same, or substantially the same, facts as those averred in support of that action; and in any such action the court may treat an extract decree of separation lodged in process as sufficient proof of the facts under which that decree was granted.

(2)Nothing in this section entitles a court to grant decree of dissolution of a civil partnership without receiving evidence from the pursuer.

[F136121APostponement of decree of dissolution where religious impediment to marry existsS

(1)Notwithstanding that irretrievable breakdown of a civil partnership has been established in an action for dissolution, the court may—

(a)on the application of a party (“the applicant”), and

(b)if satisfied—

(i)that subsection (2) applies, and

(ii)that it is just and reasonable to do so,

postpone the grant of decree in the action until it is satisfied that the other party has complied with subsection (3).

(2)This subsection applies where—

(a)the applicant is prevented from entering into a religious marriage by virtue of a requirement of the religion of that marriage, and 

(b)the other party can act so as to remove, or enable or contribute to the removal of, the impediment which prevents that marriage.

(3)A party complies with this subsection by acting in the way described in subsection (2)(b).

(4)The court may, whether or not on the application of a party and notwithstanding that subsection (2) applies, recall a postponement under subsection (1).

(5)The court may, before recalling a postponement under subsection (1), order the other party to produce a certificate from the relevant religious body confirming that the other party has acted in the way described in subsection (2)(b).

(6)For the purposes of subsection (5), a religious body is “relevant” if the applicant considers the body competent to provide the confirmation referred to in that subsection. 

(7)In this section—

  • “religious marriage” means a marriage solemnised by a marriage celebrant of a specified religious body, and “religion of that marriage” is to be construed accordingly,

  • “specified” means specified by regulations made by the Scottish Ministers.

(8)Any reference in this section to a marriage celebrant of a specified religious body is a reference to—

(a)a minister, clergyman, pastor or priest of such a body,

(b)a person who has, on the nomination of such a body, been registered under section 9 of the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977 as empowered to solemnise marriages,

(c)any person who is recognised by such a body as entitled to solemnise marriages on its behalf.]

Textual Amendments

F136S. 121A inserted (1.2.2021 for specified purposes, 1.6.2021 in so far as not already in force) by Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2020 (asp 15), ss. 11(2), 16; S.S.I. 2020/414, reg. 2(1)(c); S.S.I. 2021/23, reg. 2, sch. (with reg. 3)

122[F137Registration of dissolutions and declarators of nullity of civil partnerships]S

(1)The Registrar General is to maintain at the General Register Office a register of decrees of dissolution [F138and of declarator of nullity] of civil partnership (a register which shall be known as the “Register of Dissolutions of Civil Partnership”).

(2)The Registrar General is to cause to be made and kept at the General Register Office an alphabetical index of the entries in that register.

(3)The register is to be in such form as may be prescribed.

(4)On payment to him of such fee or fees as may be prescribed, the Registrar General must, at any time when the General Register Office is open for that purpose—

(a)cause a search of the index to be made on behalf of any person or permit any person to search the index himself,

(b)issue to any person an extract of any entry in the register which that person may require.

(5)An extract of any entry in the register is to be sufficient evidence of the decree of dissolution [F139or, as the case may be, of the declarator of nullity of civil partnership] to which it relates.

(6)The Registrar General may—

(a)delete,

(b)amend, or

(c)substitute another entry for,

any entry in the register.

[F140(7)Section 39C of the 1965 Act applies in relation to the Register of Dissolutions of Civil Partnership as it applies in relation to the Register of Divorces.]

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I8S. 122 wholly in force at 5.12.2005; s. 122 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 263; s. 122(3) in force at 14.9.2005 by S.S.I. 2005/428, art. 2, Sch.; s. 122(4) in force at 14.9.2005 for certain purposes by S.S.I. 2005/428, art. 2, Sch. and otherwise 5.12.2005 insofar as not already in force by S.S.I. 2005/604, art. 2(b); s. 122(1)(2)(5)(6) in force at 5.12.2005 insofar as not already in force by S.S.I. 2005/604, art. 2(b)

NullityS

123NullityS

[F141(1)]Where two people register in Scotland as civil partners of each other, the civil partnership is void if, and only if—

(a)they were not eligible to do so, F142. . .

(b)though they were so eligible, either of them did not F143. . . consent to its formation [F144, or.

(c)at the time of registration one of them who was capable of consenting to the formation of the civil partnership purported to give consent but did so by reason only of duress or error.]

[F145(2)In this section “error” means—

(a)error as to the nature of civil partnership, or

(b)a mistaken belief held by a person (“A”) that the other person with whom A purported to register a civil partnership was the person with whom A had agreed to register a civil partnership.]

Textual Amendments

F141S. 123 renumbered as s. 123(1) (4.5.2006) by Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 2), ss. 33, 46(2), Sch. 1 para. 10; S.S.I. 2006/212, art. 2 (subject to arts. 3-13)

F143Word in s. 123(1)(b) repealed (4.5.2006) by Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 2), ss. 33, 46(2), Sch. 1 para. 10(b); S.S.I. 2006/212, art. 2 (subject to arts. 3-13)

F144S. 123(1)(c) and word inserted (4.5.2006) by Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 2), ss. 33, 46(2), Sch. 1 para. 10(c); S.S.I. 2006/212, art. 2 (subject to arts. 3-13)

124Validity of civil partnerships registered outside ScotlandS

(1)Where two people register as civil partners of each other in England and Wales—

(a)the civil partnership is void if it would be void in England and Wales under section 49, and

(b)the civil partnership is voidable if it would be voidable there under section 50(1)(a), (b), (c) or (e).

(2)Where two people register as civil partners of each other in Northern Ireland, the civil partnership is—

(a)void, if it would be void in Northern Ireland under section 173, and

(b)voidable, if it would be voidable there under section 174(1)(a), (b), (c) or (e).

(3)Subsection (4) applies where two people register as civil partners of each other under an Order in Council under—

(a)section 210 (registration at British consulates etc.), or

(b)section 211 (registration by armed forces personnel),

(“the relevant section”).

(4)The civil partnership is—

(a)void, if—

(i)the condition in subsection (2)(a) or (b) of the relevant section is not met, or

(ii)a requirement prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph by an Order in Council under the relevant section is not complied with, and

(b)voidable, if—

(i)the appropriate part of the United Kingdom is England and Wales and the circumstances fall within section 50(1)(a), (b), (c) or (e), or

(ii)the appropriate part of the United Kingdom is Northern Ireland and the circumstances fall within section 174(1)(a), (b), (c) or (e).

(5)The appropriate part of the United Kingdom is the part by reference to which the condition in subsection (2)(b) of the relevant section is met.

(6)Subsections (7) and (8) apply where two people have registered an apparent or alleged overseas relationship.

(7)The civil partnership is void if—

(a)the relationship is not an overseas relationship, or

(b)(even though the relationship is an overseas relationship), the parties are not treated under Chapter 2 of Part 5 as having formed a civil partnership.

(8)The civil partnership is voidable if—

(a)the overseas relationship is voidable under the relevant law,

(b)where either of the parties was domiciled in England and Wales at the time when the overseas relationship was registered, the circumstances fall within section 50(1)(a), (b), (c) or (e), or

(c)where either of the parties was domiciled in Northern Ireland at the time when the overseas relationship was registered, the circumstances fall within section 174(1)(a), (b), (c) or (e).

(9)Section 51 or (as the case may be) section 175 applies for the purposes of—

(a)subsections (1)(b), (2)(b) and (4)(b),

(b)subsection (8)(a), in so far as applicable in accordance with the relevant law, and

(c)subsection (8)(b) and (c).

(10)In subsections (8)(a) and (9)(b) “the relevant law” means the law of the country or territory where the overseas relationship was registered (including its rules of private international law).

(11)For the purposes of subsections (8) and (9)(b) and (c), references in sections 50 and 51 or (as the case may be) sections 174 and 175 to the formation of the civil partnership are to be read as references to the registration of the overseas relationship.

[F146Special destinations: revocation on dissolution or annulmentS

Textual Amendments

F147124ASpecial destination: revocation on dissolution or annulmentS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Textual Amendments

Financial provision after overseas proceedingsS

125Financial provision after overseas dissolution or annulmentS

Schedule 11 relates to applications for financial provision in Scotland after a civil partnership has been dissolved or annulled in a country or territory outside the British Islands.

Chapter 6SMiscellaneous and interpretation

MiscellaneousS

126RegulationsS

(1)In this Chapter and in Chapters 2 [F148(except in section 88F)] and 5, “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Registrar General.

(2)Regulations so made may make provision (including provision as to fees) supplementing, in respect of the provision of services by or on behalf of the Registrar General or by local registration authorities (as defined by section 5(3) of the 1965 Act), the provisions of Chapter 2 of this Part.

(3)Any power to make regulations under subsection (1) or (2) is exercisable by statutory instrument; and no such regulations are to be made except with the approval of the Scottish Ministers.

(4)A statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (1) or (2), or regulations under section [F14994A(1)(a)(i) [F150, (2A)(a)(i)] or (5), 94B(3), 94E(4)] [F151, 106(3)(a)(i) or 121A(7)], is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Scottish Parliament.

Textual Amendments

F150Words in s. 126(4) inserted (18.1.2021 for specified purposes, 1.6.2021 in so far as not already in force) by Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2020 (asp 15), ss. 7(2)(f), 16; S.S.I. 2020/457, reg. 2(b); S.S.I. 2021/23, reg. 2, sch. (with reg. 3)

F151Words in s. 126(4) substituted (1.2.2021 for specified purposes, 1.6.2021 in so far as not already in force) by Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2020 (asp 15), ss. 11(3), 16; S.S.I. 2020/414, reg. 2(1)(c); S.S.I. 2021/23, reg. 2, sch. (with reg. 3)

127AttachmentS

Where an attachment has been executed of furniture and plenishings of which the debtor’s civil partner has the possession or use by virtue of an order under section 103(3) or (4), the sheriff, on the application of that civil partner made within 40 days after the execution of the attachment, may—

(a)declare the attachment null, or

(b)make such order as he thinks appropriate to protect such possession or use by that civil partner,

if satisfied that the purpose of the attachment was wholly or mainly to prevent such possession or use.

128Promise or agreement to enter into civil partnershipS

No promise or agreement to enter into civil partnership creates any rights or obligations under the law of Scotland; and no action for breach of such a promise or agreement may be brought in any court in Scotland, whatever the law applicable to the promise or agreement.

129Lord Advocate as party to action for nullity or dissolution of civil partnershipS

F152. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

130Civil partner of accused a competent witnessS

F153. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F153S. 130 repealed (28.3.2011 with effect as mentioned in the Schedule to the commencing instrument) by Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 13), ss. 86(2), 206(1); S.S.I. 2011/178, art. 2, Sch.

131Succession: legal rights arising by virtue of civil partnershipS

(1)Where a person dies survived by a civil partner then, unless the circumstance is as mentioned in subsection (2), the civil partner has right to half of the moveable net estate belonging to the deceased at the time of death.

(2)That circumstance is that the person is also survived by issue, in which case the civil partner has right to a third of that moveable net estate and those issue have right to another third of it.

(3)In this section—

  • “issue” means issue however remote, and

  • “net estate” has the meaning given by section 36(1) (interpretation) of the Succession (Scotland) Act 1964 (c. 41).

(4)Every testamentary disposition executed after the commencement of this section by which provision is made in favour of the civil partner of the testator and which does not contain a declaration to the effect that the provision so made is in full and final satisfaction of the right to any share in the testator’s estate to which the civil partner is entitled by virtue of subsection (1) or (2), has effect (unless the disposition contains an express provision to the contrary) as if it contained such a declaration.

(5)In section 36(1) of the Succession (Scotland) Act 1964 (c. 41), in the definition of “legal rights”, for “and legitim” substitute “ legitim and rights under section 131 of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 ”.

132Assurance policiesS

Section 2 of the Married Women’s Policies of Assurance (Scotland) Act 1880 (c. 26) (which provides that a policy of assurance may be effected in trust for a person’s spouse, children or spouse and children) applies in relation to a policy of assurance—

(a)effected by a civil partner (in this section referred to as “A”) on A’s own life, and

(b)expressed upon the face of it to be for the benefit of A’s civil partner, or of A’s children, or of A’s civil partner and children,

as it applies in relation to a policy of assurance effected as, and expressed upon the face of it to be for such benefit as, is mentioned in that section.

133Council Tax: liability of civil partnersS

After section 77 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (c. 14), insert—

“77ALiability of civil partners

(1)Where—

(a)a person who is liable to pay council tax in respect of any chargeable dwelling and any day is in civil partnership with another person or living with another person in a relationship which has the characteristics of the relationship between civil partners; and

(b)that other person is also a resident of the dwelling on that day but would not, apart from this section, be so liable,

those persons shall be jointly and severally liable to pay the council tax payable in respect of that dwelling and that day.

(2)Subsection (1) above shall not apply as respects any day on which the other person there mentioned falls to be disregarded for the purposes of discount—

(a)by virtue of paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 to this Act (the severely mentally impaired); or

(b)being a student, by virtue of paragraph 4 of that Schedule.”

134General provisions as to feesS

(1)Subject to such exceptions as may be prescribed, a district registrar may refuse to comply with any application voluntarily made to him under this Part until the appropriate fee, if any, provided for by or under this Part is paid to him; and any such fee, if not prepaid, is recoverable by the registrar to whom it is payable.

(2)Circumstances, of hardship or otherwise, may be prescribed in which fees provided for by or under this Part may be remitted by the Registrar General.

Commencement Information

I9S. 134 wholly in force at 5.12.2005; s. 134 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 263; s. 134 in force at 14.9.2005 for certain purposes by S.S.I. 2005/428, art. 2, Sch. and otherwise 5.12.2005 insofar as not already in force by S.S.I. 2005/604, art. 2(b)

InterpretationS

135Interpretation of this PartS

[F154(1)]In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires—

  • “the 1965 Act” means the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965 (c. 49);

  • [F155“2014 Act” means the Immigration Act 2014;]

  • [F156“approved celebrant” has the meaning given by section 94A(4)(a);]

  • “authorised registrar” has the meaning given by section 87;

  • “caravan” means a caravan which is mobile or affixed to land;

  • “child of the family” has the meaning given by section 101(7);

  • “civil partnership book” has the meaning given by section 89;

  • “civil partnership schedule” has the meaning given by section 94;

  • [F157“civil registration” has the meaning given by section 94A(4)(c);]

  • “civil partnership register” has the meaning given by section 95(2);

  • “the court” means the Court of Session or the sheriff;

  • “district” means a registration district as defined by section 5(1) of the 1965 Act;

  • “district registrar” has the meaning given by section 7(12) of the 1965 Act;

  • “entitled partner” and “non-entitled partner”, subject to sections 106(2) and 111(2), have the meanings respectively assigned to them by section 101(1);

  • “exclusion order” has the meaning given by section 104(1);

  • “family” has the meaning given by section 101(7);

  • “family home” means [F158, subject to subsection (2),] any house, caravan, houseboat or other structure which has been provided or has been made available by one or both of the civil partners as, or has become, a family residence and includes any garden or other ground or building F159. . . usually occupied with, or otherwise required for the amenity or convenience of, the house, caravan, houseboat or other structure but does not include a residence provided or made available by [F160a person for one] civil partner to reside in, whether with any child of the family or not, separately from the other civil partner;

  • “furniture and plenishings” means any article situated in a family home of civil partners which—

    (a)

    is owned or hired by either civil partner or is being acquired by either civil partner under a hire-purchase agreement or conditional sale agreement, and

    (b)

    is reasonably necessary to enable the home to be used as a family residence,

    but does not include any vehicle, caravan or houseboat or such other structure as is mentioned in the definition of “family home”;

  • “notice of proposed civil partnership” has the meaning given by section 88(1);

  • “occupancy rights” means the rights conferred by section 101(1);

  • “Registrar General” means the Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages for Scotland;

  • “registration office” means a registration office provided under section 8(1) of the 1965 Act;

  • [F161“relevant national” has the same meaning as in section 30A;]

  • [F162“religious or belief body” means an organised group of people—

    (a)

    which meets regularly for religious worship, or

    (b)

    the principal object (or one of the principal objects) of which is to uphold or promote philosophical beliefs and which meets regularly for that purpose;]

  • [F162“religious or belief civil partnership” has the meaning given by section 94A(4)(b);]

  • “tenant” includes—

    (a)

    a sub-tenant,

    (b)

    a statutory tenant as defined in section 3 of the Rent (Scotland) Act 1984 (c. 58), and

    (c)

    a statutory assured tenant as defined in section 16(1) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1988 (c. 43),

    and “tenancy” is to be construed accordingly.

[F163(2)If—

(a)the tenancy of a family home is transferred from one civil partner to the other by agreement or under any enactment, and

(b)following the transfer, the civil partner to whom the tenancy was transferred occupies the home but the other civil partner does not,

the home shall, on such transfer, cease to be a family home.]

Textual Amendments

F154S. 135 renumbered as s. 135(1) (4.5.2006) by Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 2), ss. 33, 46(2), Sch. 1 para. 12; S.S.I. 2006/212, art. 2 (subject to arts. 3-13)

F159Words in s. 135 repealed (4.5.2006) by Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 2), ss. 45(2), 46(2), Sch. 3; S.S.I. 2006/212, art. 2 (subject to arts. 3-13)

136The expression “relative” in the 1965 ActS

In section 56(1) of the 1965 Act (interpretation), in the definition of “relative”, at the end insert “ , a civil partner and anyone related to the civil partner of the person as regards whom the expression is being construed ”.

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