In their article dated the 8th February 2017, the Law Society reported:

The Supreme Court’s decision in favour of the rights of an unmarried woman to her late partner’s pension was today welcomed by the Law Society of England and Wales as a victory for equal treatment before the law for unmarried couples.

The court considered whether Denise Brewster had the same rights to payments from her late partner’s pension as she would if they had been married. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that she should receive payments under the pension scheme.

“Equality before the law is a vital part of the free and fair society we all want to live in, and the label people choose to put to their relationship should not change that,” said Law Society president Robert Bourns.

“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court provides welcome legal clarity for unmarried couples living together, and is a step towards equal treatment across the diverse family circumstances people now create.

“Other areas of unequal treatment, such as the law around what happens to your property if you die without a will, unfortunately still remain.

“A family solicitor can help unmarried couples make arrangements to ensure outdated legal rules do not mean that their partner misses out should something happen to them.”

Download their guide to moving in together by clicking here.

To discuss your options contact Hannah Anderson in our Family Department.