He agreed with the couple's claim that they were being discriminated against by the Civil Partnership Act 2004, but considered that "To the extent that by reason of that distinction it discriminates against same-sex partners, such discrimination has a legitimate aim, is reasonable and proportionate, and falls within the margin of appreciation accorded to Convention States."
وافق على ادعاء الزوجين بأنهما تعرضتا للتمييز ضدهما بموجب قانون الشراكة المدنية 2004 ولكنه اعتبر أنه "إلى الحد الذي يميز بموجبه هذا التمييز ضد الشركاء المثليين، فإن هذا التمييز له هدف مشروع، وهو معقول ومتناسب، ويقع ضمن هامش التقدير الممنوح للدول".