Civil Partnership Dissolution
Civil Partnership Dissolution Solicitors
It’s vital that couples considering ending a civil partnership have the assistance of experienced legal professionals who understand the clear distinctions of such a legal agreement and how they can affect a relationship.
Rothera Bray’s expert family solicitors are experienced in civil partnership dissolutions. They offer thorough, knowledgeable and sympathetic legal advice and can help you and your partner bring your relationship to a legal end.
Who is eligible to dissolve a civil partnership?
You can end or dissolve your civil partnership if you have been in the partnership for over a year and you can confirm that the partnership has irretrievably broken down. You will have to apply to a court to end the civil partnership, which you can either do online or by post and this can be done as a joint application with your partner or on your own.
If you do not want to end the civil partnership completely you can get a legal separation which can be applied for during the first year of your civil partnership.
How much does it cost to get a civil partnership dissolution?
There is a court fee of £593 to pay. In some cases you may be able to get help with the cost depending on your circumstances.
If you are making a joint application with your partner then you would either both need to qualify for help with fees otherwise one of you will need to pay the full fee.
In addition to court fees there might be other costs to consider such as solicitor’s fees if you decide to instruct a law firm.
What legal rights do civil partners have?
Civil partners have the same legal rights as married couples in terms of property and assets, and inheritance tax. Civil partners can also apply for parental responsibility of their partner’s children.
How do I work out child arrangements when dissolving a civil partnership?
An application for the dissolution of a civil partnership does not include child arrangements, so if you and your partner cannot agree on childcare arrangements then you will need to apply for a Child Arrangements Order so the Court can decide who they will live with and spend time with that will be in their best interests.
How long does it take to get a civil partnership dissolution?
It usually takes at least six months to dissolve an uncontested civil partnership, but it can take longer if your partner contests ending the relationship.
In some cases it is recommended to get a Financial Settlement Order approved before ending the civil partnership, as a Financial Settlement Order helps to protect your finances by ensuring that your former partner can’t make a claim for a share of your assets in the future.
Why use Rothera Bray for civil partnership dissolution?
While civil partnerships differ to marriages, many of the same issues should be taken into account when they begin or come to an end. Our family lawyers can help you tackle the issues that can arise from a civil partnership dissolution:
- Financial issues
- Splitting property
- Pension issues
- Issues relating to children-those in a civil partnership are allowed to adopt and civil partners can also take on parental responsibilities as a step-parent under the Children Act 1989
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Posted 16 January 2026
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Ann-Marie Bowman
Partner, Chairwoman & Head of Care
Ann-Marie Bowman is Partner and Chairwoman of East Midlands-based law firm Rothera Bray Solicitors. Working from our Nottingham and Derby offices, Ann-Marie remains highly committed to her fee-earning work in Family law, dealing with all aspects of children law.

Rebecca Emeleus
Partner & Head of Family
Rebecca is a Partner in the family law team and is based at our Kayes walk, Nottingham office.

David Berridge
Partner
David has over 30 years’ experience practicing Family Law. He is one of the most experienced family solicitors in Leicestershire and deals with a wide variety of matters.

Sarah Gill
Partner
Sarah is an experienced matrimonial and family law solicitor, dealing with children matters including child care, financial issues following separation of married couples and divorce. She undertakes court work in Leicestershire, Northamptonshire & Warwickshire. She is based at our Market Harborough office.

Joanne Millward
Partner
Joanne Millward has over 30 years’ experience dealing in all areas of Family Law in our Nottingham Lace Market, Derby, Beeston and Mapperley offices.

Julie McCrery
Managing Associate
Julie McCrery is a Managing Associate in Rothera Bray’s Family Law team and is based at our Derby office but also covers Nottingham and the surrounding areas.

Emma Adcock
Senior Associate Solicitor
Emma Adcock is a Solicitor with over 20 years’ experience across a wide range of family law matters arising from relationship breakdown. Working from our West Bridgford office in Nottingham, she has significant experience in divorce and the accompanying financial settlements.

Charley Kelly
Associate Solicitor
Charley is an experienced Family Associate Solicitor who specialises in all areas of Family law. She acts for clients on a wide range of family issues including divorce, financial remedy and children matters. She is based at our Leicester office.

Emily Sherwood
Associate Solicitor
Emily Sherwood is an Associate Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Family and Child Care department and is based at our Lace Market Nottingham and Derby offices.

Gurpreet Singh
Associate
Gurpreet Singh is an Associate in Rothera Bray’s Child Care department and is based at our Derby office.

Sophie Spreckley
Associate Solicitor
Sophie Spreckley is an Associate Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Family Law team and is based at our Derby office but also covers Nottingham and the surrounding areas.

Jack English
Solicitor
Jack English is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Family Law team and is based at our Beeston office but also covers Nottingham and the surrounding areas.

Rebecca Hudson
Solicitor
Rebecca is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Family Law department and specialises in divorce and matrimonial work. She is based at our Lace Market office.

Gabriella Kent
Solicitor
Gabriella Kent is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Family and Child Care department and is based at our Nottingham Lace Market office.

Christopher Monro
Senior Solicitor
Chris is an experienced solicitor dealing with most areas of Family and Matrimonial Law and is based at our Market Harborough office.

Ewan Paton
Solicitor
Ewan is a Solicitor in the Family Law department and is based at our West Bridgford office.

Katie Murden
Trainee Solicitor
Katie is a Trainee Solicitor in our Family Law department and is based at our Derby and Beeston offices.

Cindy Dodd
Managing Paralegal
Cindy Dodd is a Managing Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Divorce and Family Law team and is based at our Lace Market office in Nottingham city centre.

Gita Patel
Senior Legal Secretary
Gita Patel is a Senior Legal Secretary in the Family Law department at Rothera Bray and is based at our Leicester office.

Lorraine Lloyd
Paralegal
Lorraine is a Paralegal in the Divorce and Family Law department based at our Market Harborough office.

Tracey Cosgrove
Legal Secretary
Tracey is a legal secretary in the Family department based at our Leicester office.

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