"My Government will maintain its commitment to increased equality and social justice by bringing forward legislation on the registration of civil partnerships between same sex couples."

This Bill will allow for same sex couples to register their partnership.

The scheme would be for adults in a same sex couple, neither of whom is in an existing civil partnership or marriage.

Couples who register would have a new legal status as "civil partners" and would, according to the government, "acquire a package of rights and responsibilities".

The scheme will not apply to heterosexual cohabitees on the grounds that they have the option of civil or religious marriage denied to homosexuals.

This omission has come under some criticism.

The TUC said in its response to the consultation on civil partnerships that the scheme "should not discriminate against heterosexual couples who choose not to marry - partnership rights should not be restricted to same sex partners."

Under the Bill civil partners will gain joint treatment for income related benefits; joint state pension benefits; an ability to gain parental responsibility for each other's children; recognition for immigration purposes; and exemption from testifying against each other in court.

This legislation will apply in Scotland as the Scottish Executive has agreed to pass a Sewel motion, which effectively allows the UK government to legislate on devolved issues without the need for a full Bill before the Scottish parliament. It announced a consultation on the subject on September 30 2003.

House of Lords

First reading: March 30 2004 (HL Bill 53)

Second reading: April 22 2004

Committee stage:

• 1st day: May 10 2004
• 2nd day: May 12 2004
• 3rd day: May 13 2004
• 4th day: May 17 2004
• 5th day: May 25 2004

Report stage: June 24 2004 (part 1)
                    June 24 2004 (part 2)

Bill as amended in the report (HL Bill 92)

Third reading: July 1 2004

House of Commons

First reading: July 5 2004 (HC Bill 132)

Second reading: October 12 2004

Committee stage:

• 1st sitting: October 19 2004
• 2nd sitting: October 21 2004 (am)
• 3rd sitting: October 21 2004 (pm)
• 4th sitting: October 26 2004 (am)
• 5th sitting: October 26 2004 (pm)

Bill as mended in the committe HC Bill 168

Remaining stages: November 9 2004

House of Lords

Consideration of Commons amemdments: November 17 2004

Royal assent: November 18 2004

Civil Partnership Act 2004