Dr Andy Hayward appointed Specialist Adviser to the Women and Equalities Committee

In England and Wales cohabiting partners make up the fastest growing type of family, but at present such couples receive fewer legal protections upon death or separation than those who are married or in a civil partnership. This issue is exacerbated by a widespread misconception among the public that cohabiting couples have similar or identical rights to spouses or civil partners.

Drawing upon his expertise in domestic and comparative family law, Dr Hayward will advise the members of the committee on the equalities issues around cohabitation, whether cohabitation rights should strengthened and, if so, what shape such reform should take. This role will also build upon his existing research in this area. Dr Hayward recently launched, with Professor Jens Scherpe at the University of Cambridge, a major comparative project entitled The Legal Status of De Facto Relationships that brings together experts to analyse cohabitation in over 40 jurisdictions.

Details of the inquiry are available here - https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1196/the-rights-of-cohabiting-partners/