The Civil Partnership Act 2004

The Civil Partnership Act is a major piece of social legislation and is intended to create an entirely new legal framework for same-sex couples who wish to 'marry'. Written by two family law practitioners with a combined practice experience of over fifty years, The Civil Partnership Act 2004: A Practical Guide provides a clear, concise explanation of the new legislation. The book spans the lifetime of a relationship, from entering into the civil partnership, its consequences in terms of financial and family arrangements, to practical guidance on how the partnership is dissolved and the consequences of breakdown and death.

Paul Mallender is a specialist in family work in the High Court and in all other jurisdictions. His work includes Children Act and child support cases, ancillary relief, judicial separation, nullity, wardship and child abuse. He appears regularly for several local authorities as well as for parents of children in public law cases. His main area of practice is, however, ancillary relief.

Jane Rayson was called to the Bar in 1982 and is head of chambers at 2, Gray's Inn Square. She practises exclusively in family law and her work is (broadly) divided equally between children and ancillary relief. Jane is a trustee of the Bar Pro Bono Unit and sits on its management committee. She is a member of the Family Law Bar Association and the International Bar Association.