header-logo header-logo

01 December 2017 / Laura Naser
Issue: 7772 / Categories: Features , Family
printer mail-detail

International cohabitation: mi casa, tu casa?

nlj_7772_naser

Laura Naser provides an update on the fall-out from the international cohabitee jurisdiction race

  • Cohabitation presents a unique set of issues regarding the couple’s foreign property should their relationship end.
  • Speed is essential in securing the jurisdiction in cases such as these.

Last month, the Office of National Statistics released figures showing that the second largest family type in the UK is the cohabiting couple family at 3.3 million families, and ‘cohabiting couple families’ is the second fastest growing family type. As the law in England and Wales, and many other countries, does not bestow the same rights upon cohabitees as it does married couples, cohabiting couples are left at risk should their relationship come to an end. Many of those couples may be unaware of the potential race ahead of them.

While the numbers of cohabiting couples increase, the world has become smaller, with a greater number of couples owning property internationally. This means that upon the breakdown of a relationship, these cohabiting couples are seeking advice about

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Nick McDonnell, Kain Knight

NLJ Career Profile: Nick McDonnell, Kain Knight

Nick McDonnell of Kain Knight reflects on an unexpected legal career, his drive to support vulnerable clients and the surprising pleasures of watching nothing happen

Mayo Wynne Baxter—Angela Arnold

Mayo Wynne Baxter—Angela Arnold

Mayo Wynne Baxter strengthens property team with new partner appointment

WilmerHale—Jeremy Kosky & Charlie Lightfoot

WilmerHale—Jeremy Kosky & Charlie Lightfoot

WilmerHale expands London disputes capabilities with addition of two leading partners

NEWS
Lawyers have welcomed the Lord Chancellor’s reverse-ferret on jury reforms, but expressed ‘serious concerns’ about the decision to exclude fraud trials
From ‘rats in the robing room’ to ‘overworked’ judges and a shortage of court staff, barristers have aired their concerns about the state of the justice system
The use of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) poses ‘significant risks’ across the justice system, public services and government, and current regulation is ‘poorly suited’ to control it, experts have warned
The solicitors’ regulator has paused controversial plans to exclude owner-managers from compliance officer roles
The government has launched a £16m legal support grant to support 48 frontline legal advice organisations supporting people facing eviction, problem debt, benefit disputes and family breakdown
back-to-top-scroll