Solicitor advocate Ciarán Moynagh of McLernon Moynagh Solicitors acts on behalf of an anonymous couple who sought to challenge the laws under which same-sex marriages registered abroad are recognised as civil partnerships in Northern Ireland.

In a statement, the couple said they were “disappointed” by the ruling, adding: “Our fight to have our love recognised continues and we will discuss our options with our legal team.”

Solicitor Mark O’Connor of Larkin O’Connor Cassidy Solicitors acts on behalf of two couples, Grainne Close and Shannon Sickels and Christopher and Henry Flanagan-Kane, who sought a judicial review of the Northern Ireland Assembly’s refusal to legislate for same-sex marriages in Northern Ireland.

In a statement issued yesterday, the couple’s solicitor said they “intend to appeal this decision after careful reflection on the judgment”.

Mr O’Connor added: “They also wish to reiterate that they are not legally aided and are paying for this privately. They are not supported by any organisation. They simply believe that their rights should be the same as everybody else’s.

“At present, they are being bracketed with the vulnerable and young in our society such as under 16s, and people without mental capacity.

“They are determined to take this case as far as they can.”