An increasing number of people are choosing to live together without getting married. In fact, there are currently more than four million people cohabiting in England and Wales.Whilst cohabitees do enjoy legal protection in several areas, they still have significantly fewer rights than couples who are married or in civil partnerships.

This can bring its own set of problems, with many cohabiting couples only discovering how few rights they actually have when their relationship breaks down. This is where disputes can arise.

There are things you can do to protect your position before you start to live together. It is therefore prudent to see a solicitor and take some advice at an early stage. Professional advice can help you avoid the stress and financial loss if the relationship subsequently breaks down.

If the relationship does break down, it is important to seek independent legal advice to ensure that disputes are resolved as smoothly and as quickly as possible. Your solicitor’s job is to look after your best interests, providing realistic, professional advice that is right for you and your circumstances, using their knowledge of the law and their professional experience.

This guide covers some of the key points relating to the rights of cohabitees. However, please note that this is for general guidance only, so you should always seek professional advice tailored to your own circumstances before entering into any arrangements.

Your Key Contacts

Emily Hazell

Paralegal/Team Assistant

T: 0207 406 1030

E: EmilyHazell@cartercamerons.com

Emily is a dedicated paralegal and team assistant specialising in litigation.

With a first-class LLB in Law and plans to begin the SQE LLM soon, Emily has quickly made her mark since joining CLC in October 2022.

Originally from Llanelli, Wales, where she worked as a legal secretary, she relocated to London to further her career in civil litigation.

Emily now supports a wide range of litigation matters, from commercial and property disputes to international arbitration and family law, working closely with seasoned litigators and assisting with complex cases for our South African clients.

Areas of expertise:

Emily is skilled in handling various aspects of litigation and has gained valuable experience in:

  • Supporting cases across multiple areas of law, including commercial disputes, property issues, family matters, and international arbitration.
  • Assisting with high-stakes international cases involving loan agreements, contracts, and lengthy arbitration processes.
  • Providing support for sensitive family matters, such as divorce proceedings and child arrangement orders, with professionalism and empathy.
  • Working alongside senior litigators, including Seamus Smyth, and liaising with clients to ensure thorough case preparation and support.

When not working, Emily enjoys going for walks, cooking, reading, and spending time with friends and family. She’s a fluent Welsh speaker and aims to master baking as her next skill.

Harley Osborn

Solicitor

T: 0207 406 1022

E: HarleyOsborn@cartercamerons.com

Harley joined Carter Lemon Camerons LLP in May 2024 as a Solicitor in the Litigation and Family department.

Her career in the legal industry began in 2019, where she gathered experience both in-house and in private practice. Over the years, she has dealt with a wide range of family matters and litigation disputes, including divorce, matrimonial finances, housing disputes, and landlord-tenant issues.

Harley earned her LPC and Master’s degree from BPP Law School, graduating with a Distinction in Family Law. She completed her solicitor training and qualified in May 2024.

Outside of work, Harley can be found spending time with her family and going on holiday.

Mike Davidson

Senior Associate Solicitor

T: 0207 406 1094

E: mikedavidson@cartercamerons.com

Mike joined our team as a Senior Associate Solicitor in our Family and Dispute Resolution Departments in 2023.

He is well-versed in all the key areas of family law, including divorce, matrimonial finance, child arrangement, and Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act (TOLATA) issues.

He is also a member of Resolution, which means he is dedicated to resolving disputes in a non-confrontational manner with other Family Lawyers.

Mike handles a variety of private family matters, such as:

  • Divorce and Separation;
  • Financial Disputes;
  • Matters related to Children (like child arrangements and financial provision for children);
  • Cohabitation Disputes;
  • Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements;
  • Injunctions (like applications for Occupation and Non-Molestation Orders).

We are glad to have Mike on our team, and we know his friendly, professional approach will be a big help for clients navigating their legal issues.