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Cohabitation laws too expensive, says Haworth & Nutall

5 September 2007

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Nina Goswami

Blackburn-based firm Haworth & Nuttall has claimed that changes to cohabitation laws will “fall at the first hurdle” due to extra costs.

The firm claims that the recent report by the Law Commission, which calls for couples to have financial protection similar to married couples if they split up, will result in costs that are too high for the Government to bear.

The Government is currently reviewing the Law Commission's proposals that would mean cohabiting couples would be able to make a financial claim even if there are no children involved.

Haworth family law partner Ian Brunt said the recommendations would lead to an increase in the number of legal aid cases, making it unlikely that the Government would introduce the changes for financial reasons.

"The new rights proposed by the Law Commission could see the amount of legal aid financial provision cases almost double," said Brunt. "Changing the legislation on cohabitation in this way would mean, almost overnight, far more people would need help."

The Legal Services Commission currently uses its budget of £2bn to help around two million people access legal aid each year.

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Readers' comments (2)

  • Anonymous | 18-Sep-2007 11:21 am

    Cohabitation law

    How can it become too expensive, if we are saying that these couples are to be treated as equals to married ones? Are they not worth the protection that married couples have.
    I believe laws have to change and suit the lifestyle of the present age. There are truly more cohabiting couples than there were 10yrs ago and the number will continue to rise. It will be worth investing in this issue now. People will become aware and more cautious as they are with marriage.
    A lot of vulnerable women, chidren and men have suffered post such relationships, as there was no law to protect them. Like all vulnerable groups, they need this protection regardless of the cost.

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  • Anonymous | 5-Apr-2008 8:44 pm

    cohabiation law changes

    The government won't change the law for hetrosexual cohabiting couples because they will lose too much in capital gains when cohabiting couples sell their properties. They changed it for homosexual couples / civil partners as the numbers are much smaller. Mr brown wants to hang onto his taxes. In australia cohabiting couples have rights just like married couples..

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