Pre Civil Partnership Agreements

Civil partnerships for gay couples came into force in 2005 and since then, we have prepared a high number of pre-civil partnership agreements ("pre-cips") on behalf of clients.

Although gay marriage has since come into force in 2014 and those thinking of marriage are now seeking prenuptial agreements, some clients are still choosing to enter into civil partnerships and seek an agreement to resolve the financial arrangements in the event of a relationship breakdown and dissolution of the civil partnership.

The financial outcomes on the dissolution of a civil partnership, follow the same law as those going through a divorce and accordingly the law in relation to enforceability of a pre-cip follows the law in relation to prenuptial agreements.

In summary, provided that each of the couple have freely entered into the agreement with a full appreciation of its implications, and unless it would not be fair to hold the parties to the agreement the pre-cip is likely to be upheld.

For a full explanation see our page on frequently asked questions on prenuptial agreements.

Recent examples of work

• Acting for a professional dancer who was planning to enter into a civil partnership with his partner, a banker in the City. As most of the assets were built up prior to the relationship, but the couple had lived a high standard of living,  the pre-cip focused on the client’s generously interpreted needs, particularly as he got older and would not be able to continue in his profession. We also worked with closely with our Private Client team who prepared Wills to ensure financial provision in the event of the fiance’s death.
• Acting for an entrepreneur who was seeking to protect his assets by entering into a pre-cip with his partner, a much younger man who was a personal trainer. The client had children from an earlier relationship to whom he wanted to leave his assets but he was comfortable to share his income going forward. We recommended and worked with the fiance’s solicitors to reach fair terms which were likely to be enforced in the future. 

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If you require further information or advice from our team of specialist family lawyers, please contact a member of our team or call us on +44 (0)20 7814 1200.