Oliari and Others v. Italy

Italy's failure to provide any legal recognition for same-sex couples violated the right to respect for private and family life.

The applicants, same-sex couples, complained that Italian law provided them with no means to have their relationships legally recognised.

The Court held that Italy was under a positive obligation to provide a specific legal framework recognising same-sex unions.

Cornerstone authority for legal recognition of same-sex partnerships in Council of Europe states.