The Civil Partnership (Supplementary Provisions relating to the Recognition of Overseas Dissolutions, Annulments or Legal Separations) (England and Wales and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2005

Recognition of an overseas dissolution, annulment or legal separation in the case of an overseas relationship (or an apparent or alleged relationship) where a civil partner is domiciled in a country whose law does not recognise legal relationships between two people of the same sex

3.—(1) In relation to an overseas dissolution, annulment or legal separation in the case of an overseas relationship (or an apparent or alleged overseas relationship), section 235 applies with the following modification.

(2) After subsection (1) insert—

“(1A) The validity of an overseas dissolution, annulment or legal separation obtained by means of proceedings is also to be recognised if—

(a) the dissolution, annulment or legal separation is effective under the law of the country in which it was obtained, and

(b) at the relevant date neither civil partner—

(i) was habitually resident in the country in which the dissolution, annulment or legal separation was obtained,

(ii) was domiciled in that country, or

(iii) was a national of that country.

(c) at the relevant date the party seeking the dissolution, annulment or legal separation was either habitually resident or domiciled in a country whose law does not recognise legal relationships between people of the same sex and does not provide for dissolution, annulment or legal separation as regards such relationships.

(1B) References in paragraph (1A) to “country” shall, where appropriate, include a territory which comprises part of a country in which different systems of law are in force in matters relating to the dissolution or annulment of a civil partnership or the legal separation of civil partners.”

(3) After subsection (2) insert—

“(2A) The validity of an overseas dissolution, annulment or legal separation obtained otherwise than by means of proceedings is also to be recognised if—

(a) the dissolution, annulment or legal separation is effective under the law of the country in which it was obtained,

(b) at the relevant date one civil partner was domiciled in that country and the other was domiciled in a country whose law does not recognise legal relationships between people of the same sex and does not provide for recognition of the validity of dissolutions, annulments or legal separations as regards such relationships, and

(c) neither civil partner was habitually resident in the United Kingdom throughout the period of 1 year immediately preceding that date.

(2B) References in paragraph (2A) to “country” shall include a territory which comprises part of a country in which different systems of law are in force in matters relating to the dissolution or annulment of a civil partnership or the legal separation of civil partners.”