This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6923373.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Cohabiting law changes proposed | Cohabiting law changes proposed |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Couples who are living together should have more legal rights, according to a report by the Law Commission. | Couples who are living together should have more legal rights, according to a report by the Law Commission. |
| It says the 2.2m cohabiting couples in England and Wales should have more protection if they split up. | |
| It does not suggest cohabiting couples get the same rights as married ones, but says they should be able to make a financial claim if they break up. | It does not suggest cohabiting couples get the same rights as married ones, but says they should be able to make a financial claim if they break up. |
| Couples without children should have lived together for at least two years for this to apply, it suggests. | Couples without children should have lived together for at least two years for this to apply, it suggests. |
| Any financial compensation would be based on the contribution to the relationship, and the scheme would allow for couples to opt out. | Any financial compensation would be based on the contribution to the relationship, and the scheme would allow for couples to opt out. |
| Unlike in divorce, there would be no principle for co-habiting couples that assets should be shared equally, and no ongoing maintenance payments. | Unlike in divorce, there would be no principle for co-habiting couples that assets should be shared equally, and no ongoing maintenance payments. |
| Our scheme strikes the right balance between the need to alleviate hardship and the need to protect couples' freedom of choice Stuart BridgeLaw Commission | Our scheme strikes the right balance between the need to alleviate hardship and the need to protect couples' freedom of choice Stuart BridgeLaw Commission |
| But it would mean that if, for example, a partner has given up a career to bring up children, they should receive compensation if the couple separates. | But it would mean that if, for example, a partner has given up a career to bring up children, they should receive compensation if the couple separates. |
| The Law Commission advises the government on legal reform. | The Law Commission advises the government on legal reform. |
| Stuart Bridge, the law commissioner responsible for the reforms, said current law for dealing with property disputes was "unclear and complicated". | Stuart Bridge, the law commissioner responsible for the reforms, said current law for dealing with property disputes was "unclear and complicated". |
| It often caused serious hardship for not only the couple, but their children too, he said. | It often caused serious hardship for not only the couple, but their children too, he said. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY I thought living together was all about not being committed. If you want the benefits of commitment, get married! Heather, West Sussex Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY I thought living together was all about not being committed. If you want the benefits of commitment, get married! Heather, West Sussex Send us your comments |
| He rejected claims such reforms would undermine marriage. | He rejected claims such reforms would undermine marriage. |
| "We consider our scheme strikes the right balance between the need to alleviate hardship and the need to protect couples' freedom of choice." | "We consider our scheme strikes the right balance between the need to alleviate hardship and the need to protect couples' freedom of choice." |
| But Jill Kirby of the Centre for Policy Studies criticised the plans as introducing a "kind of marriage lite". | But Jill Kirby of the Centre for Policy Studies criticised the plans as introducing a "kind of marriage lite". |
| "If a man and a woman want to create a family together, then the most durable contract available to them is marriage," she said. | "If a man and a woman want to create a family together, then the most durable contract available to them is marriage," she said. |
| "If they decide not to marry, then I think consequences must flow from that, and that if we introduce... a kind of substitute version, as the Law Commission proposes, then it does detract from that institution and I think will lead to more confusion." | "If they decide not to marry, then I think consequences must flow from that, and that if we introduce... a kind of substitute version, as the Law Commission proposes, then it does detract from that institution and I think will lead to more confusion." |
| And Richard Kane, founder of National Marriage Week, said although he personally thought people should marry rather than cohabit, he disagreed with the state "interfering" with cohabiting couples in such a way. | And Richard Kane, founder of National Marriage Week, said although he personally thought people should marry rather than cohabit, he disagreed with the state "interfering" with cohabiting couples in such a way. |
| "We think a much stronger way to do this would be for a couple to actually have to make a choice to go and sort of make a registration if you like.... | "We think a much stronger way to do this would be for a couple to actually have to make a choice to go and sort of make a registration if you like.... |
| "I am concerned about the state interfering then by default." | "I am concerned about the state interfering then by default." |
| 'Common-law myth' | 'Common-law myth' |
| The commission said many believed in the "common law" myth - the idea that partners would be entitled to a share of the assets when a relationship broke down. | The commission said many believed in the "common law" myth - the idea that partners would be entitled to a share of the assets when a relationship broke down. |
| However, at present, cohabiting couples have very little legal protection. | |
| The report was two years in the making and builds on a consultation paper published in May 2006. | The report was two years in the making and builds on a consultation paper published in May 2006. |
| A similar rights package was introduced in Scotland in May last year. | A similar rights package was introduced in Scotland in May last year. |
| The government is now considering the recommendations. | The government is now considering the recommendations. |