Citizens' Rights
Couples living together
Cohabitants, civil partners and married couples have exactly the same rights and responsibilities as each other. This comes under the Equal Rights Law.
Married couples , cohabitors and civil partners
Those that choose to have children will need to sign a legally binding contract that renders both parties responsible if the partnership should be dissolve. There are options to add other conditions (not unlike pre-nuptial contracts).
Parents
Parents do not automatically have rights over their children - these depend on 'parental responsibility’. Mothers, whether married or not, are always deemed to have 'parental responsibility' for their children unless it can be proven that they are not fit for parenthood.
Victims of domestic violence
Domestic violence is not acceptable under any circumstances. Domestic violence causes physical and emotional harm and not just to you. Children can also be affected by it, even just from witnessing it.
If you are thinking about leaving an abusive relationship and are worried about your safety and that of your child, there is help available, whatever your relationship status. If you are a couple living together, whether heterosexual or same sex you have the same rights as you would do if you were married or civil partnered. Men and women both have a right to be safe in their own homes and are entitled to the same level of help, support and protection.
Employees
If you are in employed in work, even if it is part-time, temporary or fixed term you are entitled to certain rights. In some cases there may be conditions to these rights but there are processes in place to ensure you have fair treatment. Your rights cover issues such as:
- age
- disability
- sex or gender
- race or religion
- sexual orientation
- the length of your contract
- the length of your employment
- part-time work
- ex-offenders
Children and young people
Under the United Nation's Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) all children and young people aged 17 and under have certain basic human rights. These include the right to life, nationality, contact with parents and also freedom of expression and the right to have their views respected.
Older people
Certain basic rights apply more and become more relevant to you as you get older. These include rights in terms of pensions and benefits as well as your right to certain services.
Employment and work-related training
The Ageism Act has formalised your right to be treated fairly in employment and work-related training and not to be discriminated against because of your age. Other rights apply specifically as you approach retirement.
