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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Fresh appeal in sisters' tax case | Fresh appeal in sisters' tax case |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Two elderly sisters are to mount a last legal challenge to enjoy the same tax rights as married and gay couples. | Two elderly sisters are to mount a last legal challenge to enjoy the same tax rights as married and gay couples. |
| Joyce and Sybil Burden, born in 1918 and 1925, have lived together in Marlborough all their lives. | Joyce and Sybil Burden, born in 1918 and 1925, have lived together in Marlborough all their lives. |
| Last year, they lost their battle for equal rights at the European Court of Human Rights, and now plan to appeal. | Last year, they lost their battle for equal rights at the European Court of Human Rights, and now plan to appeal. |
| The sisters have willed their house to each other, but if one dies the other faces a large inheritance tax bill and may have to sell their shared home. | The sisters have willed their house to each other, but if one dies the other faces a large inheritance tax bill and may have to sell their shared home. |
| Judges will hear the appeal on Wednesday, with a decision due later this year. | Judges will hear the appeal on Wednesday, with a decision due later this year. |
| 'Giving security' | 'Giving security' |
| The sisters argue that the UK Civil Partnership Act of 2004 breaches the European Convention on Human Rights. | The sisters argue that the UK Civil Partnership Act of 2004 breaches the European Convention on Human Rights. |
| The act allowed same sex couples the same rights as married heterosexual couples. | The act allowed same sex couples the same rights as married heterosexual couples. |
| But the benefits, including passing property tax-free between partners, do not extend to co-habiting family members. | But the benefits, including passing property tax-free between partners, do not extend to co-habiting family members. |
| Their solicitor, Elizabeth Gedye, said they believed they deserved the same rights as such couples. | |
| "They believe they should have the same rights because they feel that they've demonstrated a relationship that is as committed as any marriage, and maybe more so, and as committed as those that are in civil partnerships," she said. | "They believe they should have the same rights because they feel that they've demonstrated a relationship that is as committed as any marriage, and maybe more so, and as committed as those that are in civil partnerships," she said. |
| "Their hope is that they will get an exemption so that on the first of them to die, no inheritance tax will be paid, thus making a significant saving and giving the second some security." | "Their hope is that they will get an exemption so that on the first of them to die, no inheritance tax will be paid, thus making a significant saving and giving the second some security." |
| The spinsters have written to the Chancellor on the day before every Budget since 1976 seeking exemption from inheritance tax for family members. |