The Civil Partnership Act 2004 gives registered civil partners almost identical rights as married couples upon death or dissolution. For further information, visit our section on same sex relationships under splitting up.
If you entered into a same sex registered relationship abroad, this will almost always be recognised in England, although same sex marriages abroad will only be recognised here as civil partnerships.
Where a same sex registered partnership is recognised in England, it will be possible to apply for dissolution (for example, because the country where you are living does not recognise a civil partnership) providing the necessary jurisdictional requirements are met. The English courts also have a power to grant a dissolution application in relation to a civil partnership entered into in England where the couple now live abroad and there is no country with jurisdiction to do so and it appears in the interests of justice for the English court to grant a dissolution.
In certain circumstances, you may be able to apply for financial provision in England if your same sex registered partnership was terminated abroad.