Contrary to some recent press reports following the much publicised split between Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall, there is a significant difference under UK law between the claims of a married spouse and those of an unmarried partner on the breakdown of their relationship.
Despite the widespread popular belief in the notion of "common-law marriages", cohabiting for a period does not in itself give rise to any financial and property rights. Indeed the term "common-law marriage" is not one recognised by the Law. Some people believe that the phrase in fact refers to some ancient maritime ceremony of marriage at sea rather than the cohabitation of an unmarried couple.
Since 1981 the number of unmarried women between the age of 18 and 49 who cohabit has doubled. Many people believe that UK law has not responded adequately to this change in social trend.
