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A Clear Guide to Civil Partnership Dissolution in England and Wales
To legally end a civil partnership, you must apply to the court for a civil partnership dissolution. The process is very similar to divorce and, since 6 April 2022, you no longer need to give a reason for the breakdown. You must have been in the civil partnership for at least one year, and the court must be satisfied that the partnership has irretrievably broken down. (Originally posted October 2022, updated March 2026)
A civil partnership is a legal union that can be entered into by:
It provides legal recognition in a similar way to marriage, but without religious significance or ties.
For opposite‑sex couples, marriage has historically provided legal protection if the relationship ended. These protections came from the Matrimonial Causes Act, which allowed separating spouses to make claims relating to:
This was particularly important for the financially weaker party, even where assets were not held in their own name.
Marriage was not originally available to same‑sex couples, meaning the law could not offer the same level of protection and fairness.
As the UK entered the new millennium, it was widely recognised that this inequality could not continue. This led to the introduction of the Civil Partnership Act 2004, which allowed same‑sex couples to enter into civil partnerships. If these partnerships ended, the legislation broadly mirrored the Matrimonial Causes Act.
Over time, the legal landscape evolved:
Today, both same‑sex and opposite‑sex couples can choose to marry or form a civil partnership.
Yes. As with marriage, a civil partnership can only be legally ended by applying to the court.
While the terminology differs, the process itself is very similar.
You must wait a minimum of one year from the date the civil partnership was formed before applying for dissolution.
Once this one‑year period has passed, you can submit a dissolution application to the court.
Since 6 April 2022, you do not need to provide a reason for the dissolution.
Instead, you simply state that the civil partnership has irretrievably broken down. The application can be made:
Once the application is issued:
The Final Order legally brings the civil partnership to an end.
As with divorce, it is essential to consider how finances will be divided.
You should aim to:
It is often advisable to do this before the Final Order is granted.
In most cases, it is sensible to try to agree on financial separation during the 20‑week period between:
This helps ensure clarity and protection for both parties as the dissolution progresses.
Ending a civil partnership involves important legal and financial considerations. Specialist advice can help ensure the process is handled correctly and efficiently.
For expert family law advice, you can contact WSP Solicitors’ local offices supporting Gloucester, Stroud, Cheltenham, Tewkesbury or the Forest of Dean, or use their online enquiry form to request a callback.
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