A question on Civil Partnerships

A question on Civil Partnerships
lostcowboy

lostcowboy

Registrant
Hi guys, one of the ladies on pandys.org has a question on Civil Partnerships. She is from the UK where Civil Partnerships are legal. But here is the problem,
It's all taken a rather abrupt halt though as she has read that the partnership will be null and void as she is deemed to suffer a mental illness. She has been hospitalized for depression and PTSD (we are both CSA survivors) and is on medication and under a Consultant. This, it seems, means we are unable to register our partnership. That seems terribly unfair. She was in a very bad place 2 or 3 years ago and has been doing everything she can to help herself since then. She is now back to work (albeit part time) and is doing extremely well.
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We got any lawyers from the UK that can give a opinion on this? It would seem to me that the mental illness clause would be in there for mental incompetence, not depression and PTSD.

Take care,
Clifford
 
Hi David, here is the whole post. it is all I know right now. I don't know where they got their info from. Do you know of any web sites that I can send them to so they can get better info?

ahem...ahem....excuse me....

Sorry, this is my first post and it's asking for advice but I'm fast approaching the end of my tether!

3 weeks ago my gf of 7yrs asked me to be her civil partner (yay!), lots of champagne quaffing and jovality ensued.

It's all taken a rather abrupt halt though as she has read that the partnership will be null and void as she is deemed to suffer a mental illness. She has been hospitalized for depression and PTSD (we are both CSA survivors) and is on medication and under a Consultant. This, it seems, means we are unable to register our partnership. That seems terribly unfair. She was in a very bad place 2 or 3 years ago and has been doing everything she can to help herself since then. She is now back to work (albeit part time) and is doing extremely well.

I do appreciate there may be others that are not fortunate enough to be in a country that offers the legal right of a civil partnership, in which case I am sorry and am grateful for the leaps and bounds the UK Govt have jumped. It is true though that myself and gf are terribly disappointed by this news and wondered if anyone can corroborate or deny; or is there any way around. We had the venue planned and everything. d'oh!

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
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Take care,
Clifford
 
Did a quick search and came up with a online version of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 I think she is concern with section 19 . But if I am reading that section correctly it is just talking about a extra time delay. She could be talking about section 49,50 also.

Here is the 1983 Mental Health Act. that section 19 is referring to.

Hope this helps you make a determination, if you are a lawyer in the UK, please say so. It will reassure them, to know that.

Thanks again for taking the time to look into this.

Clifford
 
I am not a lawyer. The same rules apply for Civil Partnerships as for marriage. Both partners must be competent to make the decision.

I suggest she calls the UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group. Their free helpline on +44 (0)20 7620 6010 is open on Mondays 12 to 5pm for general information and for free legal advice on Wednesdays 6 to 8 pm. Their website is at https://www.uklgig.org.uk/

There is also an online board at https://uk.gay.com/boards/list.php?f=15

The text of the Civil Partnership Act is at https://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts2004/20040033.htm

The Women and Equality Unit whos Act it was is at https://www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk/lgbt/partnership.htm

Assuming that one of them is not a British or EU citizen, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate of the Home Office website is at https://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/
 
Thanks David, I'll be sure to get this to her.

Take care,
Clifford
 
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