Equality bid for all couples

Mixed sex couples in Paisley will be able to enter into a civil partnership under plans to bring equality to legally recognised relationships.

A Bill being introduced to the Scottish Parliament in the autumn will aim to ensure mixed sex couples and same sex couples have the same choices of marriage or civil partnership.

The decision follows a ruling in the UK Supreme Court last year.

The ruling declared that the UK Civil Partnership Act 2004 was not compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) on equality grounds, as it prevents mixed sex couples from entering into civil partnerships.

The Scottish Government consulted on the future of civil partnership, asking for views on the pros and cons of two options for change — scrapping civil partnership, or making it available to mixed sex couples.

The government has decided that making civil partnerships available to all would be the best way to remove the ECHR incompatibility from the law in Scotland.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Extending civil partnerships to mixed sex couples gives equality and choice to all.

“All couples will now have the option of a civil partnership or marriage, which is a ground breaking change for Scotland.

“We will be providing people with the option to enter into a legally recognised relationship that reflects their personal views.

“We wanted to ensure all voices were heard in regard to the future of civil partnership in Scotland and we have listened very carefully to the views of respondents to the consultation.

“This is about ensuring we are compatible with ECHR law and creating an inclusive, fairer Scotland that promotes equality of choice and human rights for everyone.”