Will same sex marriage become legal in Scotland?
Posted: Thursday 8 December 2011
This week the SNP’s consultation on plans to legalise same sex marriage closes. Opinion polls show there is majority support for same sex marriage in Scotland. However, a number of religious groups united in opposition and debated the different views on the issue on STV’s Scotland Tonight show (Wednesday 7 December).
Faith groups argued their views on the institution of marriage against those who believed equality should determine same sex marriage rights, and Morton Fraser’s top ranked Marriage and Divorce expert, Fiona Sasan, was asked to provide clarity on the legal aspects of civil partnerships featured in the programme.
Fiona explained: “It’s the type of ceremony which defines the legal rights. The church may be unhappy with it, but legally a ceremony between two people conducted by a registrar is a legally binding contract, with no difference to a couple of the same or different sex."
Whilst the dictionary still defines the term "marriage" as "between two people of different sex", this may soon change in Scotland with the outcome of the SNP consultation.
You can read more about the consultation here.
You can find out more about the legal implications of same sex marriage here.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of Family law, same sex marriage, divorce or legal rights of marriage you can contact Fiona on 0141 274 1107 fiona.sasan@morton-fraser.com
