September 18, 2020

Law Commission Review

The Law Commission, at the behest of the Government is conducting a review of how marriages (sic) can be reviewed and modernised to reflect a changing world and to offer more choice.

There are three key areas which we have been given to understand will affect civil partnerships as well as marriages

• Giving notice
• Venue
• Provision in case of future national emergency

We’d love to hear the views of the ECP community so email us with your thoughts on hello@equalcivilpartnerships.org.uk

Giving Notice – suggestions for change include

• Requirement to be resident for 7 days before giving notice to be abolished
• Notice period to be started by giving notice on form and face to face interview to be carried out during notice period, not starting it
• Ability for face to face interviews to be carried out remotely.

Venue – Suggestions for change include

• Removing restrictions on venues so that, in theory, they can be allowed anywhere
• Specific areas mentioned are homes, gardens, outdoors, on inland waters, in the air
• Removing current restriction that venue has to be regularly available to public (eg hotel, museum)

Provision for future National emergency – Suggestions for change include

• Removing the 12 month expiry of notice period until after the end of the emergency so couples do not have to pay/give notice again
• Giving notice and/or Registration being able to be carried out remotely
• Use of venues cited in the venue change section to offer safer environments (eg outside)

We’d love to know what you think! Send us your views on these proposals to hello@equalcivilpartnerships.org.uk