Clause 117 - Effect of resumption of cohabitation
Civil Partnership Bill [Lords]
10:30 am
Mr Christopher Chope (Shadow Minister, Environment and Transport; Christchurch, Conservative)
I had tabled an amendment to omit the clause because I take the view that the process of dissolving a partnership should be a lot easier than is currently contemplated. That fits in with the argument that I was making earlier, although that has been rejected by the Committee. The effect of clause 117 would be:
''In an action to which . . . section 115(3) relates, the irretrievable breakdown of a civil partnership is not taken to be established if, after the expiry of the period mentioned . . . the pursuer resumes cohabitation''.
That would not have made any sense at all with my earlier amendments, which dealt with a cessation after a short number of months. However, in the light of the fact that my earlier amendments were defeated, I will not press clause 117 to a vote.
Question put and agreed to.
Clause 117 ordered to stand part of the Bill.
Clauses 118 and 119 ordered to stand part of the Bill.