London is the most popular place in the UK for same-sex couples forming civil partnerships. New data reveals that a third of civil partnerships formed in 2020 were in London, surpassing Brighton by 676%.

In 2020, 264 same-sex civil partnerships took place in London. This was followed by Wales (40), Brighton & Hove (34), Greater Manchester (26), Hertfordshire (22) and Kent (20).

London has always been renowned for being one of the world’s most popular gay capitals. The London boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, Islington, Camden and Westminster all rank in the top 10 UK areas with the highest number of same-sex civil partnerships.

Same-sex civil partnerships have experienced a decline for the first time since they were legalised on 5 December 2005. Same-sex civil partnerships dropped 21% in 2020, compared to the previous year.

Since the introduction of same-sex marriage on 13 March 2014, many couples have been choosing to tie the knot with vows rather than with civil partnerships. The latest data reveals that 6,728 same-sex marriages were recorded in 2019, with a further 578 same-sex couples converting their civil partnership into a marriage. A post-pandemic boost is predicted for all couples as delayed weddings finally go ahead.

Civil partnership specialists Rayden Solicitors have gathered the most recent ONS data to find areas in the UK where same-sex couples are still opting for civil partnerships.

Julian Bremner, Partner and Financial Arbitrator at Rayden Solicitors, said:

“It’s encouraging to see the continued popularity of same-sex civil partnerships in the capital. The freedom same-sex couples have to choose is extremely important and it’s great to see London continuing to lead the way for civil partnerships.

“On paper, civil partnerships and marriage are very similar. In terms of tax, pensions, inheritance and next-of-kin issues, they’re the same.

“A small difference is that you end a civil partnership with a dissolution rather than a divorce. And, of course, there’s no religious aspect to civil partnership.

“This religious facet could be why some same-sex couples are now opting for marriage instead, or perhaps they want to exchange vows? For others, it could be important, symbolically, that they can now marry, just as a straight couple always could.

“Whatever a couple’s particular reasons for choosing – or choosing not to – marry, their ability to choose is the most important thing.”

Lorna Reeves, Founder and Director of Oh My Weddings, said:

“The battle for LGBTQ+ people to be allowed to have a marriage has been a long and hard-fought one, and now couples are making the most of the right and privilege.

“For a long time, civil partnerships have had the implication of a second-class union, and I cannot see this trend changing within the LGBTQ+ community.

“While civil partnership vs marriage is absolutely within the gift of those marrying, being able to openly marry your love and life partner is not taken for granted by this community.”