#Stephens Scown Lawyers in Exeter, Truro and St Austell » Feed Stephens Scown Lawyers in Exeter, Truro and St Austell » Comments Feed Stephens Scown Lawyers in Exeter, Truro and St Austell » Same sex marriage – a summary of the current situation Comments Feed Equality Act 2010 – ban on age discrimination Stephens Scown picks up most awards in Devon and Cornwall from student guide to the law Click here for main page content Click here for main services navigation Click here for company information navigation Click here to sign-up to newsletter Click here for site legal information Click here to contact us Click here to return to homepage * People * * About * * News * * Careers * * Contact * * Pay My Bill Stephens Scown Solicitors 0845 450 5558 enquiries@stephens-scown.co.uk Personal Business * Money + Money Homepage + Wills + Estate Management + Trusts + Tax Advice + Retirement + Wealth Protection * Family + Family Homepage + Separation and Divorce Solicitors + Unmarried Couples + Children Issues + Domestic Abuse + Alternatives to Court * Immigration Solicitors + Immigration Solicitors Homepage + Visas + Residence Permits + Nationality and Citizenship + Human Rights & Removal + Working & Studying in the UK * Property Solicitors + Property Solicitors Homepage + Buying Property + Selling your Property + Transferring Ownership of Property + Raising Finance from your Property + New Build Property + Shared Ownership + Planning * Work + Work Homepage + Contracts, Agreements, Pay and Benefits + Workplace Disputes + Sickness Absence and Stress + Dismissal * Disputes + Disputes Homepage + Disputes against Businesses + Disputes over Estates and Inheritance + Property Disputes + Disputes over Land + Enforcing a Money Judgement * Commercial Property + Commercial Property Homepage + Commercial Leases for Landlords + Commercial Leases for Tenants + Construction and Development + Investment in Property + Planning + Environment and Land Use * Employment + Employment Homepage + Absence/Performance Management + Workplace Disputes + Restructuring and Redundancies + Takeovers, Mergers and TUPE + Immigration + Contracts and Handbooks + HRExpress + Facing a claim * Finance + Finance Homepage + Debt Recovery & Collection + Insolvency + Private Equity and Venture Capital Investment * Specialist Sectors + Specialist Sectors Homepage + Food and Drink + Holiday and Residential Parks + Mining and Minerals + Renewable Energy + Social Housing + Rural * Disputes + Disputes Homepage + Commercial Disputes + Property Disputes + Recovering Debt + Land Disputes * Corporate and Commercial + Corporate and Commercial Homepage + Starting a Business + Growing a Business + Buying a Business + Selling a Business + Succession + Intellectual Property and IT Home - News - Same sex marriage – a summary of the current situation Same sex marriage – a summary of the current situation There has been a great deal of media coverage lately regarding marriage for same sex couples extending from political arguments, to the religious perspective and the position taken by the Law society. What is the current legal position? Under current legislation a marriage can only take place between a man and a woman at religious premises through a religious ceremony or at non-religious premises through a civil ceremony. A civil partnership can only take place between a same-sex couple and can only be carried out through a civil ceremony which can either be conducted at civil premises or religious premises subject to the religious organisation granting permission. Civil partnership currently allows same-sex couples to show their commitment to one another and also provides protection upon breakdown in the same way as a marriage does for opposite-sex couples, for example, maintenance, pension provision, child maintenance, next of kin and immigration rights. Many countries including Canada, Spain, Portugal and Iceland already recognise same-sex marriage. Scotland could become the first part of the UK to introduce gay marriage after the SNP government announced plans to make the change. Ministers confirmed they would bring forward a bill on the issue, indicating the earliest ceremonies could take place by the start of 2015. The religious perspective From a religious perspective, it seems the Church of England believes that gay marriage could undermine traditional ties between church and state. The reason for that belief is because the Church of England doctrine founded in cannon law, states that marriage is, in its nature, a union of one man and one woman. The Bishops are very concerned that the concepts of non-consummation and adultery for same-sex couples are to be left to the courts to define. In August a group of leading Anglicans wrote to The Times, saying that the Church of England has ‘nothing to fear’ from gay marriage and that it should be a cause for rejoicing. Catholic Bishops, the Muslim Council of Great Britain and the United Synagogue are all in opposition. However the Jewish religion is split with the Liberal and Reform Synagogues supporting gay marriage. The head of the Network of Sikh organisations says gay marriage would dilute the definition of marriage in religious scriptures. The Law Society perspective Finally, what is the view of the Law Society on gay marriage? The Society agrees with removing the ban on same sex marriages to enable all couples regardless of gender to have a civil marriage ceremony. The current situation prevents equal access to a civil contract for same-sex couples. In the Law Society’s view, it therefore constitutes discrimination based on sexual orientation. This is an area where there are strong views on both sides. The debate is sure to continue and the UK government will watch with interest the situation in Scotland. Kris Seed Kris Seed October 22, 2012 Kris is an Associate in the Truro Office. Kris studied medicine before converting to law. Originally from London, she completed her training in Cornwall before moving to Stephens Scown in 1994, transferring to the Truro Office in 1996 where she is part of the Family Team. Kris deals with all areas of family law and has a wealth of experience dealing with financial disputes within divorce and contested proceedings regarding children. Outside of work Kris enjoys a hectic family life, walking the dog, cooking and when time permits shopping. Previous post Next post More Information On Meet our ClientsSME & BusinessEventsLandlord and Tenancy DisputesRural Exeter Office 01392 210700 St Austell Office 01726 74433 Truro Office 01872 265100 Terms and Conditions | Interest Policy | Legal Notices Privacy Statement | Complaints Procedure | Site Map Follow us: * Twitter * Facebook * LinkedIn * Google © Stephen Scown Solicitors 2015. Site by Kerve To give you the best possible experience our website is using cookies. 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