Law of Property Act 1925: Primary legislation governing property ownership and rights in England and Wales. Essential for provisions about shared property in cohabitation agreements.
Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TOLATA): Key legislation for determining property ownership disputes and beneficial interests in property between cohabitants.
Family Law Act 1996: Particularly Part IV regarding occupation rights and domestic violence provisions that may affect cohabitation arrangements.
Children Act 1989: Crucial legislation when the agreement includes provisions about children and parental responsibility considerations.
Contract Law Principles: Fundamental principles including consideration, intention to create legal relations, and capacity to contract, essential for creating enforceable cohabitation agreements.
Stack v Dowden [2007]: Leading case law establishing principles for determining beneficial interests in property between unmarried couples.
Jones v Kernott [2011]: Key case law refining principles for determining property ownership between cohabitants when intentions change over time.
Human Rights Act 1998: Legislation ensuring right to respect for private and family life, which may impact cohabitation agreement terms.
Matrimonial Causes Act 1973: Reference legislation to understand how cohabitants' rights differ from those of married couples.
Civil Partnership Act 2004: Reference legislation to understand how cohabitants' rights differ from those in civil partnerships.
