We fight on say man and woman refused a civil partnership
A HETEROSEXUAL couple vowed to fight on yesterday after losing their Appeal Court battle to have a civil partnership.
Doctor Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan want the same legal rights as gay couples.
But the Civil Partnership Act 2004 stipulates that only samesex couples are eligible.
Dr Steinfeld and Mr Keidan, who have a 20-month-old daughter, have been together for seven years but do not want the “patriarchal baggage” of marriage.
They argue the Government’s position on civil partnerships is “incompatible with equality law”.
They appealed over a High Court ruling against them in January last year.
By a two-to-one majority, the Appeal Court judges agreed the couple had established a potential violation of their antidiscrimination and family life rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.
But they said the Government should resolve the issue.
It was the latest blow for the couple, from Hammersmith, West London, in a battle that began when their first bid for a civil partnership was rejected in 2014.
Dr Steinfeld, 35, said yesterday: “We are deeply disappointed with the ruling. There is nothing wrong with marriage but it is not right for everyone. Civil partnerships should be open for everyone. It is about equality for all and we will be continuing our fight.” They vowed take their case to the Supreme Court if the Government fails to change the law.
Academic Mr Keidan, 40, said: “There are more than three million mixed-sex couples cohabiting who do not want to get married but would like to enter into a civil partnership. The Government should now recognise the benefits of opening civil partnerships to mixed-sex couples.”
MPs and campaigners backed the couple last night.
Tory MP Tim Loughton, who recently introduced a Bill to allow mixed-sex couples civil partnerships, said: “I look forward to the Government bringing forward a Bill to the House, one I know colleagues in my party and across the House will back.”
Family lawyer Lauren Evans, of solicitors Kingsley Napley, said: “Parliament urgently needs to step in to correct the legal hangover created by a Government that was unwilling to go all the way first time around.”
A government spokesman welcomed the court ruling and said: “We will carefully consider this judgment and will take it into account as we evaluate the takeup of civil partnerships and samesex marriage.”