A family law expert from the Dronfield office of Taylor&Emmet LLP has met the area’s member of parliament to campaign for better rights for unmarried couples.
Rachel Barlow and North East Derbyshire MP, Lee Rowley, sat down at Taylor&Emmet’s new premises in the town to discuss the lack of legal protection for cohabitees.
As members of Resolution, the organisers of Cohabitation Awareness Week, Taylor&Emmet is lobbying for statutory changes to give unmarried couples the same legal protection, if the relationship breaks down, as those in marriages or civil partnerships. Currently, cohabitation is not recognised in law, regardless of how long the parties have lived together.
Rachel said: “Cohabitation is the fastest growing family type in the UK, yet many couples are unaware of their lack of rights. The ‘common law’ myth prevails and if this type of relationship ends, partners who have given up work to raise children, for example, are surprised they have no form of recourse.
“I would like to thank Mr Rowley for taking the time to meet with me and learn more about the issues his cohabiting constituents face. The laws governing separation have failed to keep pace with society and we need the support of parliamentarians if we are to see long overdue updates being implemented.”
