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Republic of Ireland’s Chief Justice launches guides on civil partnerships and cohabiting

Resource type: News

The Irish Times | [ View Original Source (opens in new window) ]

This article was originally published on 21 December 2012.

By Fiona Gartland

Two guides to civil partnership and cohabitation will provide valuable information for gay, lesbian and bisexual people as well as for legal practitioners, Chief Justice Mrs Justice Susan Denham said last night.

She was launching Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 by Dr Fergus Ryan; and Know Your Rights, published by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and Glen, the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network.

Mrs Justice Denham said all families could be “challenged by weakness, violence, medical or legal difficulties, poverty or greater societal challenges.

“As with every other family grouping in society, we now have a series of protections and responsibilities for gay and lesbian couples – not just in relation to the State, but also relating to each other,” she said.

The leaflets would be “very useful references”.

Mrs Justice Denham also highlighted the stresses on families around Christmas time “caused by emigration, social isolation, relationship difficulties, or the simple confusion of break-up”.

The Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties are Atlantic grantees.

Donwload the Guide

Know Your Rights > Know Your Rights: The RIghts and Obligations of Civil Partners and Other Same-Sex Couples

> Visit GLEN’s website

> Visit Irish Council for Civil Liberties’ website