9Meaning of *domestic partner*

9 Meaning of *domestic partner* (1) For the purposes of this Act, ***domestic partner*** of a person means— (a) a person who is in a registered relationship within the meaning of the **Relationships Act 2008** with the person; or (b) an adult to whom the person is not married but with whom the person is in a relationship as a couple where one or each of the persons provides personal or financial commitment and support of a domestic nature for the support of the other person. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), the following is irrelevant— (a) the genders of the persons; (b) whether or not the persons are living under the same roof. (3) Also, for the purposes of subsection (1)(b), a person is not the domestic partner of another person— (a) if the person provides domestic support and personal care to the person— (i) for fee or reward; or (ii) on behalf of another person or an organisation, including a government or non-government agency, a body corporate or a charitable or benevolent organisation; or (b) merely because they are co-tenants. (4) In deciding whether persons who are not in a registered relationship are domestic partners of each other, all the circumstances of their relationship are to be taken into account, including any one or more of the matters referred to in section 35(2) of the **Relationships Act 2008** as may be relevant in a particular case.