Nearly a dozen European countries recognise a form of opposite sex civil union. In South Africa the Civil Union Act 2006 permits same-sex and heterosexual couples to marry or enter a civil partnership. This is also seen in New Zealand and the Netherlands, where couples can choose what is known as a “registered partnership”. France offers the “pacte civile de solidarité” (Pacs), a contractual form of civil union between two adults for organising their joint life. In 2012 94 per cent of Pacs agreements were between opposite-sex couples.…

Source: The Times January 18, 2018 00:04 UTC