The Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into force on 5 December 2005 and allows same sex couples to gain the rights and responsibilities of marriage. Lesbian and gay parents will gain the most as they will no longer need to go to court to share responsibility for their children. Gay couples will also be able to adopt children jointly under the Adoption and Children Act 2002 which comes into force on 30 December 2005. An on-line guide is available on www.civilpartnershiplaw.com.