Consultation paper on changes to the law on cohabitation

Reform for Cohabitees delayed.

Anticipated changes to the law relating to cohabitation have been put on the backburner. Despite the fact that huge numbers of people live together in situations of cohabitation proposals for the reform of the cohabitation laws have been put on hold.

Where parties are not married ownership of, for example a house, will depend almost entirely on whose name is shown on the title deeds

The Law Commissions report from 2007 (Cohabitation: the Financial Consequences of Relationship Breakdown) had recommended that financial remedies should be given to cohabitants to separate in much the same way as those who divorce.

Law Commissioner Prof Elizabeth Cooke has said "the prevalence of cohabitation, and the the birth of children to couples who live together, means that the need for reform of the law can only become more pressing over time"

However, for the moment, implementation looks to be delayed beyond the next Parliament.