The Civil Partnership Act 2004 constitutes one of the most significant pieces of family legislation for several years. The underlying aim of the legislation is to permit couples of the same sex to form registered civil partnerships, thereby creating a new legal status for such couples. Once registered, they acquire a package of rights and responsibilities which, subject to key differences, will place them on the same footing as married couples.

Major provisions contained in the Act include:

• Formation of civil partnership by registration
  
• Formal dissolution of civil partnership which has broken down irretrievably
  
• Grounds on which a civil partnership can be declared a nullity
  
• Financial effects of dissolution, including arrangements for property division, pensions and tenancy succession rights
  
• Ability of registered partners to acquire parental responsibility for each other's children and entitlement to apply for adoption, residence and contact orders
  
• Recognition under inheritance and intestacy rules

Civil Partnership: The New Law provides an authoritative commentary, highlighting areas of potential difficulty and offering practical guidance and will be essential reading for all family lawyers, housing lawyers and also chancery practitioners dealing with inheritance claims.

Mark Harper, Partner, Withers LLP, London,
Martin Downs, Barrister, 1 Crown Office Row, Temple, London
Katharine Landells, Solicitor, Withers LLP, London,
Gerald Wilson, Tanfield Chambers, London

• The Context: Lesbian and Gay Law Reform
• The Genesis and Scope of the Civil Partnership Act 2004
• Registration and Dissolution
• Financial Consequences of Termination
• Children
• Incapacity and Death
• Rights and Responsibilities 

Appendix

• Civil Partnership Act 2004

"it is useful to have the text of the Act in a conveniently portable format. The authors are to be congratulated on producing so promptly a helpful commentary on this important enactment ... invaluable"
ROBIN SPON-SMITH, Family Law

"well researched and comprehensive"
New Law Journal