Currently in the United Kingdom, same-sex couples have a choice between a marriage and a civil partnership, whereas opposite-sex couples can only enter a marriage due to the definition of civil partnership under the Civil Partnership Act 2004. This Dissertation stems from the case of Steinfeld and Keidan v Secretary of State for Education. The claimants argue that article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights is breached when read in line with article 14. The aim of this Dissertation is to establish how to appease the discrimination caused by the exclusion of opposite-sex couples from civil partnerships. This is explored by assessing the possibility of extending civil partnerships to all, abolishing civil partnerships or introducing cohabitation rights. This Dissertation analyses the practicability of each option to establish the most appropriate solution. This Dissertation shows and recommends that extending civil partnerships to all is the only viable solution.
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