Committees

The Rights of Cohabiting Partners

Inquiry

Cohabiting partners make up the fastest growing type of family, with over 3.4 million partners cohabiting in England or Wales. People in romantic relationships who cohabit currently have less legal protection than those who are married or in a civil partnership in the event of death or separation. Despite this, there is a widespread perception that cohabiting partners have similar or identical rights to those who are married or in a civil partnership.

The Women and Equalities Committee will be investigating the equalities issues around cohabitation, how cohabitation rights could be strengthened and what legal protection for cohabitants could look like and how this might be introduced. We want to hear from a range of people and organisations on how the rights of cohabiting partners can be strengthened and what legal reform is necessary to provide further protection.

This inquiry will focus on the rights of those in romantic relationships who live together, otherwise known as cohabiting partners or couples.

If you require additional support or advice on the current rights of cohabiting partners, you may wish to contact Citizens Advice on 03444 111 444.

Committees of the House of Commons are not able to take up individual cases but if you would like political support or advice you may wish to contact your local MP.

This inquiry is no longer accepting evidence

The deadline for submissions was 4 July 2021. The terms of reference are still available to view.

Upcoming events

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Past events

Wednesday 2 February 2022
2:00pm Private
2:30pm Public
The Rights of Cohabiting Partners - Oral evidence 2 February 2022
2:30pm
  • Tom Pursglove MP (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Justice) at Ministry of Justice)
  • Mike Freer MP (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Equalities) at Government Equalities Office)
  • Neal Barcoe (Deputy Director, Family Justice Policy at Ministry of Justice)
3:30pm
  • Professor Nicholas Hopkins (Law Commissioner for Property, Family and Trust Law at Law Commission)
Room 16, Palace of Westminster
Wednesday 5 January 2022
4:00pm Private
4:20pm Public
The Rights of Cohabiting Partners - Oral evidence 5 January 2022
4:20pm
  • Jens Scherpe (Professor of Comparative Law at University of Cambridge)
  • Professor Margaret Briggs (Professor of Law at University of Otago)
  • Kate Dowdalls QC (Commissioner at Scottish Law Commission)
  • Dr Kathryn O’Sullivan (Senior Lecturer of Law at the School of Law at University of Limerick)
Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Wednesday 1 December 2021
2:00pm Private
2:15pm Public
The Rights of Cohabiting Partners - Oral evidence 1 December 2021
2:15pm
  • Elizabeth Darlington
  • Michael Horton QC
3:15pm
  • Mr Harry Benson (Research Director at Marriage Foundation)
  • Baroness Ruth Deech
The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
Wednesday 3 November 2021
2:00pm Private
2:30pm Public
The Rights of Cohabiting Partners - Oral evidence 3 November 2021
2:30pm
  • Mandip Ghai (Senior Legal Officer at Rights of Women)
  • Nazmin Akthar (Co-Chair at Muslim Women's Network UK)
  • Graeme Fraser (Cohabitation Chair at Resolution)
  • Lisa Ray (General Secretary at Civil Service Pensioners' Alliance and Partner of Later Life Ambitions)
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House

Contact us

We receive a significant number of emails each day. All requests and invitations are considered but we do not respond directly to everyone. Please be aware, the committee does not look at individual cases or specific complaints.