Civil partnership law to come in "as soon as possible"

The Scottish Government is committed to bringing the new mixed sex civil partnership law into force as soon as possible, MSPs were told as they gave their final approval to the bill enabling legal recognition for such couples.

MSPs unanimously backed the Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill, which means that all couples in Scotland will have the same choice of marriage or civil partnership if they decide to formalise their relationship.

Secondary legislation in the Scottish and UK Parliaments will be necessary first, and this work will now be progressed.

Regulations will include the steps for married couples to convert their relationship to a civil partnership, as well as vice versa.

Opening the final debate, Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People, said: "I assure the chamber that I am committed to implementing the bill as soon as possible so that no one will have to wait too long to enter into a mixed sex civil partnership, should they wish to do so."

Click here to view the debate.