A heterosexual couple last week took to the High Court a legal challenge against the ban on members of the opposite sex entering into civil partnerships.

They allege that section 1 of the Civil Partnership Act, which requires that partners are of the same sex, is discriminatory and therefore incompatible with Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan say they do not believe in marriage and want to secure legal recognition of their relationship through a civil partnership. The case was heard over two days in the Royal Courts of Justice.

Judgment is expected next month.