Civil Partnership Dissolution Solicitors

Civil partnerships

We are experienced in advising and assisting civil partners who are working through a relationship breakdown, and can help them resolve issues about their children or their pre-partnership agreement.

Civil partnerships offer couples an alternative to marriage, providing legal recognition of their relationship alongside the same legal rights and responsibilities as marriage. Available to both heterosexual and same-sex couples, Civil partnerships are ideal for couples who want to officially recognise and legalise their relationship, without undergoing typical procedures of marriage, such as reading vows, being ‘given away’ etc. 

As is sometimes the case, Civil partnerships break down, and it is important to know where you stand and how to dissolve the partnership, should circumstances become irretrievable. Our team of experienced Solicitors are able to guide and support you, offering advice in respect of the dissolution process, as well as assistance with arrangements concerning finances, shared assets and children. 

Do you need grounds to dissolve a Civil Partnership? 

A Civil Partnership is legally ended when a dissolution order is obtained. The dissolution process requires only a statement to confirm that the partnership has irretrievably broken down. Pre 2020, one of five reasons for this needed to be satisfied (adultery, unreasonable behaviour, two years’ separation (with both parties consenting to the dissolution), desertion, or five years’ separation (if one party seeks dissolution)). However, the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (DDSA 2020) means that couples now simply need to provide a statement that the relationship has broken down, with no additional evidence being required.  

What if my partner doesn’t want to end the Civil Partnership?

You may be in a position where you would like to make a sole, rather than joint, application for a dissolution. If this is the case, and you and your partner are not in agreement, you are still able to begin the process. After submitting the preliminary documentation (D8 form), you can apply for a Conditional Order. The courts will then invite both parties to a hearing to discuss the case and make the decision on whether to grant a Conditional Order. If successful, you can then apply for a Final Order (within 12 months) which will legalise the dissolution. 

Mediation and alternative dispute resolution

If your relationship breakdown means you need support when it comes to organising finances, child arrangements, communication difficulties or any other intricacies of the relationship, mediation is a highly useful tool. Our trained Solicitors offer mediation sessions which are designed to provide legal information to help couples formalise their separation as amicably as possible. 

How Eric Robinson can help 

Here at Eric Robinson, we have a team of highly experienced Solicitors who are able to help you with any queries you may have about dissolving a civil partnership.

Whether you simply require some preliminary advice or would like us to guide and support you through the process from start to finish, you can book a free 30-minute consultation with one of the team to discuss your circumstances in full. Following this, we also offer fixed-fee consultations.

To speak to us and find out more, get in touch with one of our local branches at the following locations:

• Southampton
• Hedge End
• Chandlers Ford
• Winchester
• Lymington 
• Shoreham-by-Sea
• Richmond Upon Thames