The concept of an ‘enduring family relationship’ originates specifically from the Adoption Act 2002, which states that eligible joint couples who can adopt should be married, civil partners, or same or opposite sex couples living together in an ‘enduring family relationship’. In the context of family law matters, an enduring family relationship has been argued to describe a stable, committed partnership that is like that experienced by married couples or civil partners. The judge’s issue was whether the women still constituted an ‘enduring family relationship’ as referenced in the Adoption Act 2002, despite their separation. How should an enduring family relationship be defined for cohabitation rights? Should all criteria of an enduring family relationship apply to every cohabiting couple?