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Irish Law Reform Commission Papers and Reports |
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You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> Irish Law Reform Commission Papers and Reports >> Final Cohabitants Bill 20061.doc URL: http://www.bailii.org/ie/other/IELRC/2006/82(2).html Cite as: Final Cohabitants Bill 20061doc |
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DRAFT COHABITANTS BILL 2006 |
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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PART 1
PRELIMINARY AND GENERAL
1. Short Title and
commencement
2.
Interpretation
3. Cohabitant and
qualified cohabitant
PART 2
AGREEMENTS BETWEEN COHABITANTS
4. Validity of certain agreements between
cohabitants
5. Tax treatment of certain transactions
involving qualified cohabitants
PART 3
ADDITIONAL STATUTORY
ENTITLEMENTS FOR COHABITANTS
6. Social
Welfare
7. Residential
tenancies
8. Fatal accident
actions
9. Enduring powers of
attorney
10. Domestic
violence
PART 4
APPLICATIONS BY QUALIFIED COHABITANTS FOR
REDRESS
11. Succession
12. Application by
economically dependent qualified cohabitant
13. Property adjustment
orders
14. Compensatory maintenance
orders
15. Pension adjustment orders
and pension splitting orders
16. Mediation and other
alternatives to proceedings
17. Limitation
period
18. Procedure
19. Transitional
provisions |
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DRAFT COHABITANTS BILL 2006 |
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ENTITLED |
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AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE MAKING
OF CERTAIN AGREEMENTS BETWEEN COHABITANTS, TO CONFER ADDITIONAL STATUTORY ENTITLEMENTS ON
COHABITANTS, TO AMEND VARIOUS
ENACTMENTS FOR THIS PURPOSE, TO PROVIDE FOR APPLICATIONS TO COURT BY
CERTAIN QUALIFIED COHABITANTS AND FOR RELATED MATTERS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS
FOLLOWS: |
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PART 1
Preliminary and
General
Short Title and
commencement
1.- (1) This Act may be cited as the Cohabitants Act
2006.
(2) This Act shall come into
force on such day or days as the Minister shall by Order
provide.
Interpretation
2.- In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires
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“cohabitant” has the meaning given
in section 3(1); “cohabitant agreement” has the meaning given in
section 4(2); |
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“court” means the High Court or the Circuit
Court; |
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“financial matters” includes one
or more of the following: the property of the cohabitants or either of
them, the financial resources of the cohabitants or either of them, and
household expenses;
“Minister” means the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law
Reform;
“qualified cohabitant” has the
respective meanings given in sections 3(4) and
11(1).
Explanatory
Note.
The definitions of “cohabitant
agreement,” “court” and “financial matters” in this section implement the
recommendations in paragraphs 3.08 and 3.20.
Cohabitant and qualified cohabitant
3.- (1) For the purposes
of this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, “cohabitants” means
two adults (whether they are of the same sex or the opposite sex) who live
together as a couple in an intimate relationship, and who are not married
to each other or related to each other within a prohibited degree of
relationship; and “cohabitant” means one of such two adults.
(2) In determining whether two
adults are living together as a couple within the meaning of subsection
(1), all the circumstances of the relationship are to be taken into
account, including such of the following matters as may be relevant in a
particular context -
(a)
the duration of the relationship,
(b)
the nature and extent of common residence,
(c)
whether or not a sexual relationship exists,
(d)
the degree of financial dependence or interdependence, and any
arrangements for financial support, between the cohabitants,
(e)
the joint purchase of an estate or interest in land or the joint
acquisition of personal property,
(f) the degree of commitment
to a shared life, |
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(g) the care and support of
children, |
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(h) the performance of household duties,
and, |
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(i) the reputation and public aspects of the
relationship.
(3) No
finding in respect of any of the matters mentioned in subsection
(2), or in respect of any combination of them, is to be regarded as
necessary for the purpose of determining that two adults are cohabitants;
and in determining whether they are cohabitants, regard may be had to
those matters, and to attach such weight to those matters, as is
appropriate in the circumstances.
(4) For the
purposes of this Act (with the exception of section 11), “qualified
cohabitant” means -
(a) a
cohabitant who has been living in such a relationship for 3 years,
or,
(b)
where there is a child of the relationship, a cohabitant who has been
living in such a relationship for 2 years;
(5)
Notwithstanding subsection (4), a cohabitant may make an
application under this Act where the cohabitant establishes that,
otherwise, serious injustice would arise.
Explanatory
Note.
This section implements the
recommendations in paragraphs 2.08,
2.15, 2.18, 2.26 and
2.28. |
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PART 2
Agreements between
cohabitants
Validity of certain agreements
between cohabitants
4.- (1) For the avoidance
of doubt, and notwithstanding any rule
of law to the contrary,
cohabitants may enter into a cohabitant
agreement.
(2) For the
purposes of this Act, a cohabitant agreement means an agreement between
two cohabitants which makes provision for financial matters (and only such
matters) during the relationship or on its ending (whether by death or
otherwise).
(3) A
cohabitant agreement shall be valid and enforceable if it is in writing,
it is signed by both cohabitants, and that, before
the |
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agreement is signed by either of
them, each cohabitant has received legal advice independently of the other
cohabitant.
(4) Subject
to the provisions of this section, a cohabitant agreement shall also
comply with the general law of contract, whether common law or
statutory.
(5) Nothing
in a cohabitant agreement affects the power of the court to make an order
in respect of the right to custody of, maintenance of or access to or
otherwise in relation to the children of the cohabitants.
(6) A
cohabitant agreement may provide that the provisions of Part 4 shall not
apply to the cohabitants entering into the agreement.
(7) Without
prejudice to subsection (6), in exceptional circumstances a court
may, on application set aside a cohabitant agreement where its
enforceability would cause serious injustice.
Explanatory
Note.
This section implements the
recommendations in paragraphs 3.08 and
3.20.
Tax treatment of certain
transactions involving qualified cohabitants
5.- (1) Schedule 1 of the
Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999 is amended by the insertion of
“or a qualified cohabitant within the meaning of section 3(4) of the
Cohabitants Act 2006” after “sister” where it last appears in
paragraph 15 of the Heading entitled “CONVEYANCE or TRANSFER on sale of
any property other than stocks or marketable securities or a policy of
insurance or a policy of life insurance” in Schedule 1.
(2) Schedule 2 of the Capital
Acquisitions Tax Consolidation Act 2003 is amended by the insertion of
“, or a qualified cohabitant within the meaning of section 3(4) of the
Cohabitants Act 2006,” after “deceased child” in paragraph
1(a)(i) of Part 1 of Schedule 2.
Explanatory
Note.
This section implements the
recommendations in paragraphs 3.29 and
3.31. |
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PART 3
Additional statutory
entitlements for cohabitants
Social Welfare
6.- (1) In this section, “Act of 2005” means the
Social Welfare
Consolidation Act 2005.
(2) Section
142(4)(a), section 144, section 217(3) and paragraph 4(4) of Part 3 of
Schedule 3 of the Act of 2005 are amended by the substitution of
“cohabitants within the meaning of section 3 of the Cohabitants
Act 2006” for “a man and woman who are not married to each other but
are cohabiting as husband and wife” in the definitions of “couple” in
those provisions of the Act of 2005.
(3) Section
3(10)(b), section 152(b), section 227, section 262, section 298, and Part
1 of Schedule 3 of the Act of 2005 are amended by the substitution of “a
cohabitant within the meaning of section 3 of the Cohabitants
Act 2006” for “a man and woman who are not married to each other but
are cohabiting as husband and wife” in the definitions of “spouse” in
those provisions of the 2005 Act.
(4) Section
3(11)(b) of the Act of 2005 is amended by the substitution of “a
cohabitant within the meaning of section 3 of the Cohabitants
Act 2006” for “a man and woman who are not married to each other but
are cohabiting as husband and wife” in the reference to “spouse” in the
definition of “qualified adult.”
Explanatory Note.
This section implements the recommendations in paragraph
4.08.
Residential
tenancies
7.- Section 39 of the
Residential Tenancies Act 2004 is amended by the substitution of
“was a cohabitant with the tenant within the meaning of section 3 of
the Cohabitants Act 2006” in subsection (3)(a)(ii) for “cohabited with
the tenant as husband and wife”.
Explanatory Note.
This section implements the recommendations in paragraph
4.11. |
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Fatal accident
actions
8.- Section 47 of the
Civil Liability Act 1961, as amended by section 1 of the Civil
Liability (Amendment) Act 1996, is amended by the substitution in
subsection (1)(c) of “cohabitant within the meaning of section 3
of the Cohabitants Act 2006” for “husband or
wife”.
Explanatory Note.
This section implements the recommendations in paragraph
4.32.
Enduring powers of
attorney
9.- The First Schedule of
the Powers of Attorney Act 1996 is amended by the insertion of the
following additional class after paragraph 3.(1)(h): “(i)
the donor’s cohabitant, within the meaning of section 3 of the
Cohabitants Act 2006.”
Explanatory Note.
This section implements the recommendations in paragraph
4.41.
Domestic
violence
10.- (1) In this section,
“Act of 1996” means the Domestic
Violence Act
1996.
(2) Section 2
of the Act of 1996 is amended by the substitution of “is a cohabitant,
within the meaning of section 3 of the Cohabitants Act 2006,
of the respondent” in subsection (1)(a)(ii) for “is not the spouse of the
respondent but has lived with the respondent as husband and wife for a
period of at least six months in aggregate during the period of twelve
months immediately prior to the application for the safety order,
or”.
(3) Section
2(1)(a) of the Act of 1996 is amended by the insertion after paragraph
(iv) of “ or (v) is a parent of whom there is a child with the
respondent;”.
(4) Section 3
of the Act of 1996 is amended by the substitution of “is a cohabitant,
within the meaning of section 3 of the Cohabitants Act 2006,
of the respondent” in subsection (1)(b) for “is not the spouse of the
respondent but has lived with the respondent as husband and wife for a
period of at least six months in aggregate during the period of nine
months immediately prior to the application for the barring order,
or”.
Explanatory
Note.
This section implements the
recommendations in paragraphs 4.16,
4.19, 4.23, and
4.28. |
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PART 4 |
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Applications by qualified
cohabitants for redress
Succession
11.- (1) In this section,
a qualified cohabitant means a cohabitant
who:
(a)
was living as a cohabitant with the deceased for 3 years immediately
prior to the deceased’s death, or,
(b)
where there is a child of the relationship, was living as a cohabitant
with the deceased for 2 years immediately prior to the deceased’s
death.
(2) Where, on
an application by or on behalf of a qualified cohabitant, on notice to the
respondent, the court is of the opinion that the deceased failed to make
adequate provision or no povision for the qualified cohabitant in
accordance with his or her means, whether by his or her will or otherwise,
the court may order that such provision shall be made for the qualified
cohabitant out of the net estate of the deceased as the court considers
just and equitable.
(3) In making
an order under this section, the court shall make what provision is
reasonable in the circumstances, having regard to the factors set out in
section 12 (5) and also the following factors –
(a) the interests of the
beneficiaries of the estate,
(b)
any benefit received or to be received by the qualified cohabitant on,
or as a result of, the deceased’s death other than out of the net estate,
and
(c)
the provision (if any) made for the qualified cohabitant through
orders made under sections 13, 14 or 15.
(4) For the
purposes of this section, “net estate” means the estate as remains after
provision for the satisfaction of -
(a)
capital acquisitions tax (or the equivalent of such tax however
described);
(b)
other liabilities of the estate having priority over legal rights and
the prior rights of a surviving spouse within the meaning of the
Succession Act 1965, and |
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(c) the legal rights and
the prior rights, if any, of any surviving spouse.
(5) An order
under this section shall not affect the legal right of a surviving spouse
within the meaning of the Succession Act 1965, or any devise or bequest to
the spouse or any share to which the spouse is entitled on
intestacy.
(6) Rules of
court shall provide for the conduct of proceedings under this section in a
summary manner.
(7) An
application under this section shall be made within 6 months from the
first taking out of representation of the deceased’s estate or 12 months
from the date of death, whichever is the latest.
Explanatory
Note.
This section implements the
recommendations in paragraph 5.15,
5.18, 5.20, 5.22, and
5.26.
Application by economically
dependent qualified cohabitant 12.- (1) For the purposes of this Part,
“applicant” means a qualified cohabitant who also comes within the
requirements of subsection (3), and “respondent” means the adult
person with whom the applicant lived, within the meaning of section
3.
(2) An
applicant may apply to the court, on notice to the respondent, seeking to
have an order or orders made under sections 13, 14 or 15, or under
any of those sections or any combination of them.
(3) In
applying for any order under sections 13, 14 or 15, the applicant
shall establish to the satisfaction of the court that, arising from the
ending of the relationship (including where it ended through death), he or
she is economically dependent.
(4) An order
under sections 13, 14 or 15 shall only be made where the court
considers it is just and equitable to do so.
(5) Before
making an order under sections 13, 14 or 15, the court (having been
satisfied that the applicant is economically dependent within
subsection (3)) shall have regard to the following factors
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(a) the rights and entitlements of any
spouse, |
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(b)
the rights and entitlements of any child of a previous relationship,
or of any child of the relationship between the applicant and the
respondent or of any child treated by them as their child,
(c)
the rights and entitlements of any former spouse,
(d)
the nature and duration of the relationship,
(e)
the size and nature of the estate,
(f)
the financial needs, obligations and responsibilities which the
applicant has or is likely to have in the foreseeable future,
(g)
the contributions and sacrifices which the applicant made or is likely
to make in the foreseeable future to the welfare of the respondent and any
child referred to in paragraph (b), including any contribution made
to the income, earning capacity, property and financial resources of the
respondent and any sacrifice made by looking after the home or caring for
the respondent and any child referred to in paragraph
(b),
(h) the effect on the
earning capacity of the applicant of the responsibilities assumed during
the period he or she lived together with the respondent, including the
degree to which the future earning capacity of the applicant was impaired
by reason of having relinquished or foregone the opportunity of
remunerative activity in order to look after the home or care for the
respondent and any child referred to in paragraph (b),
(i) any physical or mental disability of the applicant,
and
(j) any other matter which
the court may consider relevant in the particular
circumstances.
Explanatory Note.
This section implements the recommendations in paragraphs
6.34. |
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Property adjustment orders1
13.- (1) On an application
by an applicant within the meaning of section 12, on notice to the
respondent, the court may make a property adjustment order.
(2) A property adjustment order
may provide for one or more of the following matters:
(a)
the transfer by either of the cohabitants to the other cohabitant, to
any dependent child of the relationship or to any other specified person
for the benefit of such person of specified property, being property to
which the first-mentioned cohabitant is entitled either in possession or
reversion,
(b)
the settlement to the satisfaction of the court of specified property,
being property to which either of the cohabitants is so entitled as
aforesaid, for the benefit of the other cohabitant and of any dependent
child of the relationship or of any or all of those persons,
(c)
the variation for the benefit of either of the cohabitants and of any
dependent child of the relationship or of any or all of those persons of
any agreement within the meaning of section 4 (subject to the terms
set out in section 4(7)) or other settlement (including such a
settlement made by will or codicil) made on the cohabitants,
(d)
the extinguishment or reduction of the interest of either of the
cohabitants under any such agreement (subject to the terms set out in
section 4(7)) or settlement.
Explanatory Note.
This section implements the recommendations in paragraph
6.31.
Compensatory maintenance
orders
14.- (1) On an application
by an applicant within the meaning of section 12, on notice to the
respondent, the court may make a compensatory maintenance
order. |
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1 The Commission notes
that section 13 of the draft Bill contains the essential
elements of its recommendations
on this matter and that more detailed provisions concerning the meaning
and scope of a property adjustment order will be
required. |
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(2) The
purpose of a compensatory maintenance order is to restore financial
independence to the applicant.
(3) An order
for compensatory maintenance may, as the court considers appropriate,
require the respondent to make periodical payments or lump sum payments to
the applicant.
Explanatory Note.
This section implements the recommendations in paragraph
6.32.
Pension adjustment orders and
pension splitting orders2 15.- (1) On an application by an
applicant within the meaning of section 12, on notice to the
respondent, the court may make a pension adjustment order or pension
splitting order, or both.
(2) Before making an order or
orders under this section, the court shall be satisfied that it is not
possible to make just and equitable financial provision for the applicant
within the meaning of section 12(4) for the applicant by means of a
property adjustment order or maintenance order.
Explanatory
Note.
This section implements the
recommendations in paragraphs 6.33 and
6.34.
Mediation and other
alternatives to proceedings
16.- Before instituting
any proceedings under this Act, a solicitor
acting for any cohabitant
shall:
(a)
discuss the possibility of a reconciliation and give to him or her the
names and addresses of persons qualified to effect a reconciliation
between them,
(b)
discuss the possibility of engaging in mediation to help to effect a
settlement of any intended proceedings on a basis agreed between the
cohabitants and give to them the names and addresses of persons qualified
to provide a mediation service, and |
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2 The Commission notes
that section 15 of the draft Bill contains the essential
elements of its recommendations
on this matter and that more detailed provisions concerning the meaning
and scope of a pension adjustment order and a pension splitting order will
be required. |
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(c) discuss the
possibility (where appropriate) of effecting a settlement of any intended
proceedings by means of an agreement in writing between them.
Explanatory Note.
This section implements the recommendations in paragraph
7.04.
Limitation
period
17.- Proceedings under
this Act shall, save in exceptional
circumstances, be instituted
within 2 years of the ending of the
relationship between the
cohabitants, whether through death or
otherwise.
Explanatory Note.
This section implements the recommendations in paragraph
7.07.
Procedure
18.- (1) Subject to the
provisions of section 40 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act
2004, proceedings under this Act shall be heard otherwise than in
public.
(2) The costs of any proceedings
under this Act shall be at the discretion of the court.
Explanatory Note.
This section implements the recommendations in paragraph
7.09.
Transitional
provisions
19.- (1) Section 4
shall only apply to agreements entered into
after the commencement by Order
of that section.
(2) Part 4 shall only apply to
cohabitants whose relationship has come to an end (whether by death or
otherwise) after the commencement by Order of Part 4 but, subject to that,
account may be taken of time prior to such commencement in calculating the
duration of the cohabitation relationship in accordance with section
3(4).
Explanatory Note.
This section implements the recommendations in paragraph
7.11. |
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