Chapter 16- Life Partnerships

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

Since time immemorial, couples have lived together without entering into a legally recognised marriage. In South Africa today, several million people live together in this way. As a general rule, a life partnership does not confer the consequences of a legally recognised marriage on the life partners. However, some Acts confer specific spousal benefits on partners

Question 2

Legislative and judicial recognition of life partnerships

Answer 2

Several Acts treat heterosexual partners and spouses alike or specific purposes

Question 3

Same-sex partnerships

Answer 3

As indicated under the previous subheading, some Acts afford spousal protection to heterosexual life partners.

Question 4

The Constitution and Life partnerships

Answer 4

The courts extended spousal benefits to same-sex life partners and not to heterosexual partners because of the implementation of the Civil Union Act.