Heterosexual couple who want civil partnership instead of marriage take case to Supreme Court
A heterosexual couple who want to enter a civil partnership instead of getting married have been given the right to take their case to the Supreme Court.
Rebecca Steinfeld, 36, and Charles Keidan, 40, are currently prevented from doing so by the Civil Partnership Act 2004, which only applies to same-sex couples.
The couple, academics living in Hammersmith, west London, had their claim rejected by the Court of Appeal in February (see video, below), but have now been granted a hearing at the Supreme Court.
At the time of the Court of Appeal’s ruling, they maintained there was still ‘everything to fight for’.
Ms Steinfeld and Mr Keidan, who have a daughter and another child on the way, claim the government’s position on civil partnership is ‘incompatible with equality law’.
‘We hope the Supreme Court will deliver a judgment that will finally provide access to civil partnerships for thousands of families across the country,’ said Ms Steinfeld.
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Mr Keidan said: ‘The incredible support from many thousands of people who have signed our petition and backing from MPs across the political spectrum has enabled us to come this far.
‘What started out as a personal effort to become civil partners has taken on wider significance as we realised that as many as 3.3 million cohabiting couples are affected by the status quo.
‘Over the last few years, we’ve heard the same message: whilst most couples want financial and legal protection for themselves and their families, not all feel comfortable with marriage.
‘Civil partnerships offer a legally binding arrangement that is fair, popular and good for families and children.’
The couple’s solicitor, Louise Whitfield, from law firm Deighton Pierce Glynn, said: ‘This is a very significant achievement for my clients as the Supreme Court only gives permission for a very small number of cases each year – those that are the most important for the court to consider.
‘It is another significant step in the journey to achieve equal civil partnerships for all, and the court’s decision to grant permission recognises the great public importance of this issue.’
A spokesman for the Supreme Court confirmed on Tuesday that permission to appeal had been granted to the couple.
The hearing of their case before a panel of justices in London will take place next year on a date to be fixed.
(Main picture: PA)