Equal rights for same-sex couples

Jersey’s first Civil Partnership Law will come into force on 2 April and will allow couples to formalise their relationship with a civil ceremony and then benefit from tax, inheritance, pension and property rights the same as married couples.

The move was approved in principle by the House last year and was unanimously adopted by Members yesterday.

It was also hailed as an ‘important day for equality and tolerance’ by Treasury Minister Philip Ozouf who said he was, as far as he was aware, the only person in the Assembly who might actually use the civil partnership bill once it comes into force.

• Full story and more news from the States in Wednesday’s JEP.