New statistics show that the total number of civil partnerships in the UK is nearing 50,000.
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in July revealed that the total number of civil partnerships formed in the UK since the Civil Partnership Act came into force in December 2005 had reached 46,622 by the end of 2010.
The number of civil partnerships formed in the UK by same-sex couples was 6,385 in 2010 compared with 6,281 in 2009.
For the first time last year, more women than men formed civil partnerships in the UK. In 2010, 51 per cent of UK civil partnerships were between women compared with 49 per cent in 2009.
Meanwhile, UK dissolutions of civil partnerships in 2010 almost doubled on the figure for 2009. A total of 509 civil partnerships were dissolved last year, compared with 353 in 2009, a 44 per cent increase. Of dissolutions in 2010, 61 per cent involved female couples.
Sally Orme, a solicitor in Gregg Latchams’ Family department with particular expertise in divorce and civil partnership dissolution, said: “While the reasons for the surge in civil partnership dissolutions last year are unclear, where a relationship does irretrievably break down, seeking independent, expert legal advice is always wise.
“Couples entering a civil partnership may also wish to consider a pre-partnership agreement, similar to a pre-nuptial agreement, to set out arrangements for the property and assets they take into the civil partnership if they subsequently part.
“The ONS figures show that the average age for men entering a civil partnership in 2010 was just under 41 and just over 38 for women. Marrying or forming a civil partnership later in life is likely to mean that someone has more significant assets, so a pre-nuptial or pre-partnership agreement can be particularly relevant.
For more information, please contact the Family department.
