Heterosexual cohabitee rights

Where one of a cohabiting heterosexual couple can show that they had suffered major financial disadvantage from the relationship or that their partner had gained a significant financial advantage, the Government intends to give them rights similar to those found in divorce proceedings. The Family Justice Minister, Harriet Harman, says that the reform will come ‘soon’ in a Family Justice Bill, which will also allow the press access to the family courts, subject to anonymity rules. Cohabiting couples will be able to claim lump sums, a share of property including the family home, regular maintenance payments or part of their partner’s pension when the relationship breaks down.