In the context of society at large, the law continues to be a relatively conservative entity that is not always entirely at ease with the more recently recognised family set up. Most lawyers would rarely encounter same-sex partners seeking a divorce, not least because the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 only came into force in March 2014. In view of the fact that same-sex couples have to be married for one year before they can seek a divorce, having a divorce in a same-sex marriage has only been possible in England and Wales for just over two years, whereas there is over 40 years of case law that applies for opposite-sex couples. For same-sex couples each set of circumstances is new, so it is important to find a lawyer with whom you can be fully at ease.
One of the supporting facts for a divorce is adultery. However, in the eyes of the law, it is only possible to commit adultery with someone of the opposite sex; so a same-sex spouse cannot commit adultery with someone of the same sex. Some might feel that a betrayal of that nature ought to have similar consequences, regardless of whether the person was of the opposite sex or not.
The powers of the court in making financial orders are identical in same-sex marriages as they are in opposite-sex marriages, but the way in which they are applied can differ. The focus continues to be on achieving fairness, but not necessarily to treat same-sex couples identically to opposite-sex couples. A party’s gender can affect their earning capacity and the court’s assessment of their needs. Similarly, the gender dynamic in an opposite-sex couple’s relationship may prioritise the husband’s career, where the wife bears the children. The court then needs to address the gender-related economic disadvantage to her that can occur.
In the past it may well have been uncommon for male same-sex couples to bring up children together, and more common for female couples to have children from previous relationships, but this is no longer the case and doesn’t merit different expectations or treatment.
For further information
To find out more about how Anthony Collins Solicitors can support you through a same-sex divorce or civil partnership dissolution and marriage and relationship challenges, please contact Elizabeth Wyatt. Similarly, opposite-sex couples face similar challenges when getting divorced; they are outlined here.
Dementia currently affects 1 in 14 people in the UK. Many people will either know someone with dementia, have had to support and care for someone with dementia or have been diagnosed themselves.
The 2022 Code replaces the NHF Code of Conduct 2012 (the 2012 Code) and sets out the baseline standards that the NHF expects of its member registered providers (RPs).
The High Court has dismissed a challenge by the Police Superintendents’ Association to the closure of legacy public sector pension schemes.
In my recent blog, I said that we would be issuing a series of ebriefings and blogs highlighting issues with the Procurement Bill. This is the first of these.
Contractors and delivery partners are facing a ‘perfect storm’ in many cases with a number of factors directly impacting upon the profitability of their work.
Worker status, like Piers Morgan, is one of those things that we think has gone away and then it pops up again!
We are seeing a steady trickle of decisions focused around the issue of flexible working requests or employer requirements for changes to working patterns (both pre and post the pandemic).
For those of us who have endured a choppy cross channel journey, the mention of P&O Ferries will invoke some nauseous memories.
Successive generations have witnessed seismic shifts in the workplace; post-war it was the return of the soldiers and the impact on working women who had to work in their place.
In this podcast, Puja Desai interviews Kimberley Foster and discusses her experience with counselling. This is a really helpful podcast for anyone who has thought about counselling.