Since 1996 the number of cohabitating couples in the UK has risen by more than 50 percent to 2.3 million- 1 in 6 of all couples- and yet cohabitants are often left without any legal protection when their relationship breaks down. There is no such thing as common law husbands/wives in English law and this often leads to hardship and unfairness. Many people who have committed themselves financially, emotionally and otherwise find themselves coming out of a long relationship with very little.
Mary McEvoy and Beth Woodward are members of Resolution. Resolution is a group of over 5,000 family law solicitors committed to helping families through separation. Mary has written to the 3 MPs in whose constituencies Neves' have offices and to her local MP about the bill; they are split on party lines with Conservatives opposing the bill and Labour MPs supporting it.
Resolution is working with Lord Lester of Herne Hill QC (who introduced the Cohabitation Bill to the House of Lords) to end the injustice and financial hardship faced by former cohabitating couples. The Cohabitation Bill had its second reading in the House of Lords on March 13th 2009 and is now before a committee for further scrutiny.
We will keep you posted on the progress of the Bill or you can find out more information by going to www.resolution.org.uk.
You can also find out more about the current law relating to cohabitants by going to our Cohabitation Agreements section or please contact Beth Woodward on 01908 304560 or beth.woodward@neves-solicitors.co.uk.
