IBA launches cohabitees project to push for reform

The push for reform of the law for cohabitees last week took on an international dimension after the IBA launched a project on the issue.

The initiative - which was driven by London solicitor Keith Baker - will initially gather empirical data on the situation from around the world, to be published on-line.

The state of Western Australia, for example, recently passed a law extending rights as far as non-sexual cohabitees, such as elderly sisters.

In July this year, the Law Society launched a vigorous campaign for greater rights for cohabitees (see [2002] Gazette, 25 July, 6).

The second phase of the IBA project will look into the issue of cross-border recognition of 'non-traditional families' - such as homosexual marriages legally carried out in the Netherlands - which could lead to an international convention.

IBA programme lawyer Phillip Tahmindjis said this 'may develop into a law reform agenda afterwards'.