Cohabitation

Graeme Fraser’s A–Z of Cohabitation

Graeme Fraser’s A–Z of Cohabitation

Graeme Fraser needs no introduction in the cohabitation world. Here’s his A-Z of Cohabitation… A is for Agreement A cohabitation agreement is a written, signed document, often signed as a deed in front of witnesses which deals with who owns (and owes) what at the time of the agreement

Cohabitation Rights in England and Wales, Scotland and Australia

Cohabitation Rights in England and Wales, Scotland and Australia

Introduction Across the globe, the composition of families is changing. No longer is marriage the definitive means for defining a family; we have seen the growth of other formalised relationship statuses such as registered partnerships and civil unions. The family outside marriage has now become a statistical reality and something

Building a Movement for Cohabitation Reform in England and Wales

Building a Movement for Cohabitation Reform in England and Wales

Calls to reform the legal regulation of unmarried cohabitants are not new. In August 2022, the Women and Equalities Committee proposed comprehensive reform, including opt-out protections on relationship breakdown, as well as reform of intestacy law. All the while, solicitors and barristers have countless examples of clients left economically vulnerable,

Evaluating the Government's Response to the Women and Equalities Committee Rights of Cohabiting Partners Inquiry

Evaluating the Government's Response to the Women and Equalities Committee Rights of Cohabiting Partners Inquiry

On 1 November 2022 the Women and Equalities Committee released the Government's response to their Rights of Cohabiting Partners Inquiry Report. The short response, available here, largely rejects the key recommendations of the Committee and only partially accepts the others. The initial reaction to the Report has been

Ralph v Given [2022] EWHC 2395 (KB)

Judgment date: 23 September 2022 https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/KB/2022/2395.html Freedman J. Claimant’s application for summary judgment in relation to application to deliver up an Aston Martin DBX and a Range Rover Sport or damages for conversion. C argued these were gifts. The

Where Next for Cohabitation Reform in England and Wales?

Where Next for Cohabitation Reform in England and Wales?

On 4 August 2022, the Women and Equalities Committee of the UK Parliament handed down their eagerly anticipated Report on the Rights of Cohabiting Partners, available here⁠). It called for the introduction of opt-out protections upon relationship breakdown, legal provision following an intestate succession, and public awareness campaigns to tackle

W v H (Financial Remedies: Pensions) [2021] EWFC 63

Judgment date: 14 September 2021 https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWFC/OJ/2021/B63.html Recorder Salter. Modest assets. Case involved pensions, third-party property, excessive litigation costs and jurisdiction of the court to make an order for child maintenance where the care of a child was shared equally between