Introduction [Cohabitation : law, practice and precedents]

The aim of this book is to assist practitioners when dealing with the particular requirements of those who are neither married nor in a civil partnership. A lawyer will usually only be consulted when a relationship is either in difficulties or at an end. It is at this stage that myths as to entitlement to property and financial provision may have to be exploded. This is so especially in relation to property where there remains very little statutory protection for cohabitants and uncertainty abounds.The approach of this book is that ‘prevention is better than cure’. It is divided into ten sections. Each sets out the substantive law and, where appropriate, precedents and procedural guides. As such it is multi-disciplinary, enabling practitioners to advise clients fully at all stages of a cohabitation relationship, and on every aspect