Cohabitation Bill [HL]

The CohabitationBill is a Private Member’s Bill introduced by Lord Lester of Herne Hill whichseeks to clarify and expand rights surrounding cohabitation.

Lord Lester was instrumental in developing the both Civil Partnerships andForced Marriage Acts through Parliament.

The Bill concentrates on the rightsof unmarried couples.The Bill saysit will “provide certain protections for persons who live together as a coupleor have lived together as a couple; and for connected purposes”.

Among its considerations is theprotection available to parties who decide to no longer live together and theimpact this may have on any dependent children.

For the purpose of the legislation,children affected by the cohabitation plans are those who are considered, bylaw, to be the adults' child.

It is also proposed that the newlegislation should be applicable to partners of either the same or oppositesexes.

It seeks to define clearly the terms “cohabitant”, “former cohabitant”, and “relevantchild”, as well as providing a legal basis for financial settlement following aseparation of a cohabiting couple.

Previously, Lord Lester has said:

“It is a scandal in modern Britainthat existing law does almost nothing to prevent such people from losing theirhome or sliding into poverty if their relationship breaks down or their partnerdies.”

Progress

House of Lords

First reading: December 11 2008 [HL Bill 8]

Second reading: no date