(1) In this section, "Act of 2000" means the Equal Status Act 2000.

(2) Section 2(1) of the Act of 2000 is amended -

(a) by inserting the following definition:

"‘civil status’ means being single, married, separated, divorced, widowed, in a civil partnership within the meaning of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 or being a former civil partner in a civil partnership that has ended by death or been dissolved;",

(b) by deleting the definition "marital status", and

(c) by inserting, in the definition "near relative", "or civil partner within the meaning of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010" after "spouse".

(3) The Act of 2000 is amended by substituting "civil status" for "marital status" wherever it appears.