The myth of the common law wife
and
Cohabitants beware: who will get the house if we split up?
It is a widely held belief that there is such a thing as a common law wife or husband. In fact, since the Marriage Act of 1763, there has been no such thing in England and Wales. Whether you live with your "partner", "cohabitee", "live-in-lover", "domestic associate" or "current companion" in the eyes of the law there is no special relationship and you are not equivalent to a husband or wife.
Even if a couple having been living together for several years and have children they are not regarded in law as common law husband and wife and if things do not work out a cohabitee will find that they do not have the same legal rights or safeguards as a husband or wife. However, the law is different north of the border. You may find yourself married under Scot's law even if you have not gone through a formal ceremony (for more information please refer to the legal section of this website under Scottish law).
http://www.divorce.co.uk/hottopics/articles/co habitants.htm