Civil partnerships for mixed-sex couples made legal

Previously only civil partnerships had been available to same-sex couples in the UK, following a law change in 2004. Carrying the same legal benefits but held up as an alternative to traditional marriage, the agreement allows for shared responsibility for children, ownership of property and of jointly owned possessions.  Civil Partners are eligible for working age bereavement benefits however these are conditional and depend on circumstances. Couples in a civil partnership can also jointly now legally adopt a child. The law change, which also allows same-sex couples to convert thei...