Commentary on Sections Schedule 13 – Civil partnerships of persons under 18: Northern Ireland
687.This Schedule deals with the issue of "consent" where a person under the age of 18 wishes to register a civil partnership with another person.
688.Paragraphs 1 and 2 list the persons or bodies whose consent is needed to the civil partnership of a person between the age of 16 and 18 and the circumstances in which their consent is required.
689.Paragraph 3 provides a county court in Northern Ireland with power to make an order dispensing with the consent of any person required by paragraph 1 if the court is satisfied that the registration of the civil partnership is in the best interests of the young person. This jurisdiction is exercisable by the county court in three circumstances: (1) it is not reasonably practicable to obtain the consent of the person whose consent is required; (2) that person has refused or withheld consent to the civil partnership; or (3) there is uncertainty as to whose consent to the civil partnership is required.
690.Paragraphs 4 to 7 provide that details of consents to the civil partnership of a young person are to be sent to and recorded by the registrar. Paragraph 7 applies section 140(5) to the record of consents under this Schedule and a person claiming to have reason to object to the proposed civil partnership may inspect any entry relating to the proposed civil partnership free of charge.