Almost half of the people in England and Wales believe that Common law marriage exists
The British Social Attitudes Survey carried out by The National Centre for Social Research has revealed that 46% of the public believe that cohabiting couples form a common law marriage. This percentage is increased with people believing that it is more likely when children are put in to the equation.
The rapid increase in cohabiting couples and the lack of any legal status for such couples in England and Wales means that there is often severe financial hardship for a vulnerable party upon separation.
