The UK's Civil Partnership Act 2004 and the Marriage (Same-Sex) Act 2014 are important legal, social and historical landmarks. Same-sex relationship recognition has become a key site of political contestation rich in symbolic, material and cultural meanings. While fiercely opposed by many, within mainstream narratives they are often represented as a victory in a legal reform process that commenced with the decriminalisation of homosexuality. This collection brings together leading scholars and commentators from a wide range of professions and disciplinary backgrounds to critically reflect on the first ten years of the Civil Partnership Act and the introduction of same-sex marriage.

Notes on Contributors, 1. From Civil Partnership to Same-Sex Marriage: A Decade in British Legal History - Nicola Barker and Daniel Monk, Part One: Towards Marriage, 2. Liberalism by Stealth? The Civil Partnership Act and the New Equalities Agenda in Perspective - Jeffrey Weeks, 3. From Civil Partnership to Marriage in Scotland - Kenneth Mck. Norrie, 4. Opposing Same-Sex Marriage, by Supporting Civil Partnerships: Resistances to LGBT Equalities - Kath Browne and Catherine Nash, 5. Consenting to Gender? The New Spousal Consent Requirement in the Gender Recognition Act 2004 - Flora Renz, Part Two: Changing Minds, Changing Practice? After the Wedding, 6. Social Work, Adoption, Civil Partnerships and Same Sex Marriage - Christine Cocker, 7. Civil Partnership and Ordinary Marriages - Brian Heaphy, 8. The Church of England and Gay Marriage - What Went Wrong? - Giles Goddard, 9. Even Sociologists Get Civilly Partnered? Loving Same-Sex Marriage and Other Contradictions - Yvette Taylor, Part Three: The End of (the) Marriage: Dissolutions, Disputes and the Future, 10. 'Square peg, round hole?': The legal regulation of Plus Two Parent Families - Chris Dietz and Julie Wallbank, 11. Judging the Act: Civil Partnerships Disputes in the Courtroom and the Media - Daniel Monk, 1 2. Dissolution or Disillusion? The Unravelling of Civil Partnerships - Rosemary Auchmuty, 1 3. After the Wedding, What Next? Conservatism and Conjugality - Nicola Barker, Index

Nicola Barker is Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Kent, UK.

Daniel Monk is Reader in Law, Birkbeck, University of London, UK.