The IFA and ICMSA and a few lawyers will be happy with the news that the Cabinet yesterday approved amendments to the Civil Partnership Bill which will see a five year period for rights to be granted to in terms of property, pensions etc in cases of claims of the death of one of the couple.

Farmers organisations have been lobbying hard for changes to the legislation and there has been mention of ‘predatory females’ ‘predatory solicitors’ and ‘threats to the family farm’.

There are other changes proposed including increased rights for a child of a deceased intestate civil partner to apply for an enhanced share of that person’s estate. I assume this is for children to claim from non biological parents? There has been criticism from many groups about the lack of recognition of the rights of children in the legislation.

The amendments will be debated in committee next week, more details on this including a live blog and link to amendments as they become available. I assume some of the legal bloggers will also be very interested in examining the amendments ad I will link to their work as it is published.