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| Heterosexual couple lose court fight for civil partnership instead of 'patriarchal' marriage | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A heterosexual couple have lost their Court of Appeal battle for the right to enter into a civil partnership. | A heterosexual couple have lost their Court of Appeal battle for the right to enter into a civil partnership. |
| Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan, who objected to the "patriarchal baggage" of marriage, wanted to secure legal recognition of their six-year relationship but were prevented because the Civil Partnership Act 2004 says only same-sex couples are eligible. | Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan, who objected to the "patriarchal baggage" of marriage, wanted to secure legal recognition of their six-year relationship but were prevented because the Civil Partnership Act 2004 says only same-sex couples are eligible. |
| The academics, who live in Hammersmith, west London, and have a 20-month-old daughter, said the Government's position is "incompatible with equality law". | The academics, who live in Hammersmith, west London, and have a 20-month-old daughter, said the Government's position is "incompatible with equality law". |
| In November, they challenged High Court judge Mrs Justice Andrews's decision to dismiss their judicial review action. | In November, they challenged High Court judge Mrs Justice Andrews's decision to dismiss their judicial review action. |
| However the Court of Appeal dismissed their challenge. | However the Court of Appeal dismissed their challenge. |
| Karon Monaghan QC said: "They wish very much - and it is of very considerable importance to them - to enter into a legally regulated relationship which does not carry with it patriarchal baggage, which many consider comes with the institution of marriage." | Karon Monaghan QC said: "They wish very much - and it is of very considerable importance to them - to enter into a legally regulated relationship which does not carry with it patriarchal baggage, which many consider comes with the institution of marriage." |
| Acting for the Government, Dan Squires QC said a decision had not yet been taken whether to extend civil partnerships to opposite-sex couples, abolish them or phase them out. | |
| Instead, following following two public consultations and a debate in Parliament, it was decided to see what effect extending marriage to same-sex couples had on civil partnerships before making a final decision which, if reversed in a few years' time, would be disruptive, unnecessary and extremely expensive. | |
| He described the judge's decision as "unimpeachable". | He described the judge's decision as "unimpeachable". |
| Speaking outside the court, Ms Steinfeld said: "We are pleased that today's ruling has shown that the Government must act very soon to end this unfair situation. | |
| "All three judges agreed that we're being treated differently because of our sexual orientation, and that this impacts our private and family life. | "All three judges agreed that we're being treated differently because of our sexual orientation, and that this impacts our private and family life. |
| "All three rejected the argument that we could 'just get married'. All three emphasised that the Government cannot maintain the status quo for much longer - they are on borrowed time." | "All three rejected the argument that we could 'just get married'. All three emphasised that the Government cannot maintain the status quo for much longer - they are on borrowed time." |
| Ms Steinfeld said Lady Justice Arden accepted their case on almost every point. | Ms Steinfeld said Lady Justice Arden accepted their case on almost every point. |
| "We lost on a technicality, that the Government should be allowed a little more time to make a decision. | "We lost on a technicality, that the Government should be allowed a little more time to make a decision. |
| "So there's everything to fight for, and much in the ruling that gives us reason to be positive and keep going." | "So there's everything to fight for, and much in the ruling that gives us reason to be positive and keep going." |
| Mr Keidan said: "The Court of Appeal has made it clear the status quo cannot continue. | Mr Keidan said: "The Court of Appeal has made it clear the status quo cannot continue. |
| "The Government should now recognise the benefits of opening civil partnerships to mixed-sex couples. | "The Government should now recognise the benefits of opening civil partnerships to mixed-sex couples. |
| "The measure is fair, popular, good for families and children, and long overdue. They have everything to gain." | "The measure is fair, popular, good for families and children, and long overdue. They have everything to gain." |
| He said the couple intended to appeal the dismissal in the Supreme Court. | He said the couple intended to appeal the dismissal in the Supreme Court. |
| Additional reporting by Press Association | Additional reporting by Press Association |