Until 1967 homosexual men were being sent to prison for having a relationship. Since 2005, same sex couples have been able to get married — although the law describes the relationship as a ‘civil partnership’. This book describes the remarkable change in social attitudes and analyses the law's responses to those changes. The book considers the different techniques for bringing about change in the law, and contrasts what can properly be achieved by judicial decisions with what can only be achieved by legislation. Much of the law about personal relationships reflects a compromise between differe ... More

Until 1967 homosexual men were being sent to prison for having a relationship. Since 2005, same sex couples have been able to get married — although the law describes the relationship as a ‘civil partnership’. This book describes the remarkable change in social attitudes and analyses the law's responses to those changes. The book considers the different techniques for bringing about change in the law, and contrasts what can properly be achieved by judicial decisions with what can only be achieved by legislation. Much of the law about personal relationships reflects a compromise between different values, and the Civil Partnership Act 2005 is no exception. The book looks at how such changes have been dealt with in other countries, notably in the United States, and it provides a wealth of comparative material.