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Cohabition Disputes

Family Law Accreditation

Whilst we all wish and we all hope so earnestly that life and family relationships would follow the path of happiness, we all know that from time to time problems do occur.

Why Choose Us for Family Law

SJS Solicitors is an accredited member of the Law Society’s Family Law Accredited Scheme. The Accreditation is only awarded to firms who are able to provide quality family law advice upon which clients can rely. Members of this scheme are required to have a high level of knowledge, skills, experience and practice in the area of family law and must meet the highest standards of technical expertise and client service. SJS Solicitors have been accredited since November 2011.

Our team at SJS Solicitors recognise the delicacy and professionalism that must be applied situations involving Family Law. We have the skill and the expertise to handle these matters professionally, whether they involve children custody disputes, separation, attending to legal aspects if someone has passed away or any related matters. We are here to help and bring satisfaction.


A civil partnership is a legal relationship which can be registered by two people of the same sex. If you are in a same-sex relationship, registering a civil partnership will give your relationship legal recognition. To register a civil partnership, you and your partner must sign a civil partnership document in front of two witnesses and a registrar.

Civil partnerships area treated as the same as married couples in a wide range of legal matters including:

  • tax, including inheritance tax
  • employment benefits
  • most state and occupational pension benefits
  • income related benefits, tax credits and child support
  • duty to provide reasonable maintenance for your civil partner and any children of the family
  • ability to apply for parental responsibility for your civil partner’s child
  • inheritance of a tenancy agreement
  • recognition under intestacy rules
  • access to fatal accidents compensation
  • protection from domestic violence
  • recognition for immigration and nationality purposes

How does civil partnership differ from marriage?

A civil partnership is a comparatively new legal relationship, exclusively for same-sex couples, when compared to marriage.

There are a small number of differences between civil partnership and marriage including:

  • a civil partnership is registered when the second civil partner signs the relevant document, a civil marriage is registered when the couple exchange spoken words
  • opposite-sex couples can opt for a religious or civil marriage ceremony as they choose, whereas formation of a civil partnership will be an exclusively civil procedure

At SJS Solicitors we can deal with all aspects of civil partnerships including:

  • Protection of assets before a civil partnership takes place
  • dissolution of the civil partnership or dissolution orders
  • matters relating to children at the end of a civil partnership
  • financial arrangements at the end of a civil partnership
  • housing rights at the end of a civil partnership
  • family mediation and arbitration
  • will writing

Fees

For this area of law our fees for commencing work will depend on the complexity of your case. At a consultancy meeting with us, your solicitor will advise you exactly what the fees for the resolution of your legal matter will be.

Our consultancy fee includes:

  • A 45 minute meeting with our Principal Solicitor
  • A client care letter detailing all advice given in the meeting sent within 24 hours
  • The option to choose if you want to instruct our firm or not for your matter

Our consultancy meetings, which are charged at £125 + VAT can be booked by calling our firm or following this link.