Civil Unions (Non – Registered Partnerships) and Patients’ Rights : Problematics and the Future Perspective

Abstract

Unlike the institution of matrimonial law, which has developed over several hundred years and thus has a solid legal basis, the legal framework for non-registered partnerships is a relatively recent legal phenomenon, which therefore also means that the legal framework in those countries where it is applied is not uniform and there are signifi cant diff erences between diff erent legal systems. Th e legal framework of non-registered partnerships is infl uenced by the traditions, history, culture, religion, and other factors of the country and its population. With the development of non-registered partnerships, new challenges are emerging in various fi elds, including healthcare in terms of ensuring patients’ rights. Th is results in a situation where there is a lack of regulation in society to protect all families, regardless of whether the family is based on a registered or non-registered partnership. Th e purpose of the article is to clarify the role, and importance, as well as crucial problematics of non-registered partnerships from the patients’ point of view. Th e methodological basis of the research includes general theoretical principles of scientifi c knowledge. Th is knowledge provides various aspects in the study of non-registered partnerships and the patients’ rights in healthcare. Th e scientifi c novelty is to identify the essence and importance of the fundamental rights of each person and to clarify the legal problematics of the non-registered partnership institution that infl uence patients’ rights in the decision-making process.