Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TOLATA): Primary legislation governing property ownership and rights between cohabitants, including determination of beneficial interests in property
Children Act 1989: Legislation covering arrangements for children, including residence, contact, and maintenance obligations in cases involving children of cohabiting couples
Family Law Act 1996: Legislation dealing with occupation rights and protection from domestic violence, relevant for determining residence rights post-separation
Law of Property Act 1925: Fundamental property legislation governing legal ownership of property and property rights and interests between parties
Civil Partnership Act 2004: While not directly applicable to cohabitation, provides useful comparative framework for handling relationship breakdown
Constructive Trusts: Common law principle used to determine beneficial interests in property where explicit declarations are absent
Resulting Trusts: Common law principle applying where property is purchased with contributions from both parties but held in one name
Proprietary Estoppel: Equitable doctrine protecting rights where one party has relied on assurances about property interests to their detriment
Contract Law Principles: Fundamental principles including capacity to contract, consideration, and intention to create legal relations
Limitation Act 1980: Legislation setting time limits for bringing claims relating to property or contractual disputes
Human Rights Act 1998: Legislation protecting right to family life and peaceful enjoyment of possessions, relevant for balancing parties' competing rights
