Future of civil partnership: consultation

Chapter 5: Conclusion

Key aim

5.01 The key aim of this consultation is to gather qualitative information on the arguments made for and against each of the two options for the future of civil partnerships. Along with other available information, this will be used to inform our approach to the future of civil partnerships.

Impact Assessments

5.02 In line with usual practice, draft Impact Assessments have been prepared and are attached at the following Annexes:

• Annex H: draft Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA)
• Annex I: draft Equality Impact Assessment Record (EQIA)
• Annex J: draft Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA)

5.03 The Government would produce a final BRIA, EQIA and CRWIA for any Bill it introduced into Parliament or any Order under the Convention Rights (Compliance) (Scotland) Act 2001 it laid before Parliament.

5.04 The Government does not consider that a Strategic Environmental Assessment ( SEA) is required as there is no significant impact on the environment.

5.05 The Government does not consider that a Data Protection Impact Assessment ( DPIA) is required. Clearly, if opposite sex civil partnership should be introduced, registrars would be receiving civil partnership notice forms from opposite sex couples and would be registering opposite sex civil partnership. However, data protection for these couples would be on the same basis as existing arrangements for couples seeking to marry and couples seeking to enter a same sex civil partnership.

5.06 The Government does not consider that an Islands Impact Assessment ( IIA) is required. No differential impact on the islands is envisaged.

5.07 The Government does not consider that a Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment ( FSDA) is required. It does not appear that policies on civil partnership can reduce inequalities of outcome caused by socioeconomic disadvantage.

5.08 In accordance with Parliamentary Standing Orders, the Government would prepare the following Accompanying Documents for any Bill it introduced into Parliament:-

• A Policy Memorandum
• A Financial Memorandum
• Explanatory Notes to the Bill.

5.09 The Government would also prepare a Delegated Powers Memorandum.

Question 8. Do you have any comments on the draft Impact Assessments?

Yes ☐
No ☐

If yes, please outline these comments.

5.10. Consultees may have further comments:

Question 9. Do you have any other comments?

Yes ☐
No ☐

If yes, please outline these comments.

Family Law
Justice Directorate
Scottish Government