§ Lord Tebbitasked Her Majesty's Government:
In what respects, other than its availability to persons of the same sex, a civil partnership as envisaged in the Civil Partnership Bill differs from a civil marriage. [HL3625]
§ Baroness Scotland of Asthal:There are a number of differences between civil partnership and civil marriage; for example, a civil partnership is formed when the second civil partner signs the civil partnership document, a civil marriage is formed when the couple exchange spoken words.
In relation to the rights and responsibilities that flow from the formation of a civil marriage, the Government have aimed to provide parity of treatment between civil partners and spouses.