Part 1Introduction

1Civil partnership

1

A civil partnership is a relationship between two people F7... (“civil partners”)—

a

which is formed when they register as civil partners of each other—

i

in England or Wales (under Part 2),

ii

in Scotland (under Part 3),

iii

in Northern Ireland (under Part 4), or

iv

outside the United Kingdom under an Order in Council made under Chapter 1 of Part 5 (registration at British consulates etc. or by armed forces personnel), or

b

which they are treated under Chapter 2 of Part 5 as having formed (at the time determined under that Chapter) by virtue of having registered an overseas relationship F6, or

c

which results from the conversion, under Part 3, 4 or 5 of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020, of their marriage.

2

Subsection (1) is subject to the provisions of this Act under or by virtue of which a civil partnership is void.

3

F1a

A civil partnership ends only on death, dissolution or annulment F2, or

b

in the case of a civil partnership formed as mentioned in subsection (1)(a)(i) or (iv), on the conversion of the civil partnership into a marriage under section 9 of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013F4, or

c

on its coming to an end in accordance with section 11(2)(a) of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 5) (ending of civil partnership formed as mentioned in subsection (1)(a)(ii) or (iv) on its being changed to a marriage under section 10 of that Act, and ending of certain civil partnerships where the civil partners marry in accordance with the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977)F5, or

d

in the case of a civil partnership formed as mentioned in subsection (1)(a)(iii) or (iv), on the conversion of the civil partnership into a marriage—

i

under Part 3 of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020, or

ii

under Part 3 or 4 of the Marriage of Same Sex Couples (Conversion of Civil Partnership) Regulations 2014.

F33A

Subsection (3) is subject to section 11(2)(a) of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 (ending of certain civil partnerships on marriage under Scots law).

4

The references in subsection (3) to dissolution and annulment are to dissolution and annulment having effect under or recognised in accordance with this Act.

5

References in this Act to an overseas relationship are to be read in accordance with Chapter 2 of Part 5.