Heterosexual couple lose civil partnership court appeal

A heterosexual couple have lost their Court of Appeal battle for the right to enter into a civil partnership.

Rebecca Steinfeld, 35, and Charles Keidan, 40, objected to the "patriarchal baggage" of "the institution of marriage" and wanted to ensure legal recognition of their seven-year relationship through a civil partnership.

However they were prevented because the Civil Partnership Act 2004 says that only same-sex couples are eligible.

Speaking outside court after the decision, Ms Steinfeld said: "All three of the judges agreed that we are being treated differently because of our sexual orientation, and that it impacts our private and family life.

"All three rejected the arguments that we should 'just get married'. All three emphasised that the government cannot maintain the status quo for much longer.

"Lady Justice Arden accepted our case on almost every point. In the end, though, Lady Justice Arden's fellow judges concluded that the government should be allowed just a little more time to make a decision.

"It is on that technicality that we lost, two votes to one."

They argued the Government's position is "incompatible with equality law."

Karon Monaghan QC told the Court of Appeals: "They wish very much - and it is of very considerable importance to them - to enter into a legally regulated relationship which does not carry with it patriarchal baggage, which many consider comes with the institution of marriage."

However Dan Squires QC said a decision was taken - after two public consultations and debate in Parliament - not to extend civil partnerships to opposite-sex couples, abolish them or phase them out.

It was decided to see how extending marriage to same-sex couples impacted on civil partnerships before making a final decision.

They argued a reversal would be disruptive, unnecessary and extremely expensive.

He described the judge's decision as "unimpeachable".