Family rights and the 'registered partnership'in Denmark

Abstract

In 1989 Denmark took the innovative step of introducing a special legal regime, the ‘registered partnership’, of which only couples of the same sex, whether or not they are living together, may, if they choose, take advantage. The regime is closely modelled on marriage. This article explains the background to and motives which lie behind this legislation and considers the extent of its application and some of its implications.