The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995

Appointment by court

159.—(1) Where an application with respect to a child is made by any individual, the High Court or a county court may by order appoint that individual to be the child’s guardian if—

(a) the child has no parent with parental responsibility for him; or

(b) a residence order has been made with respect to the child in favour of a parent or guardian of his who has died while the order was in force.

(2) The power conferred by paragraph (1) may also be exercised in any family proceedings by the High Court or a county court if it considers that the order should be made even though no application has been made for it.

(3) Paragraph (1) shall not apply if the residence order referred to in sub-paragraph (b) of that paragraph was also made in favour of a surviving parent of the child.

(4) A person appointed as a guardian under this Article shall have parental responsibility for the child concerned.

(5) Subject to any provision made by rules of court, the High Court shall not exercise its inherent jurisdiction to appoint a guardian of the fortune or estate of any child.

(6) Where rules are made under paragraph (5), they may prescribe the circumstances in which, and conditions subject to which, an appointment of such a guardian may be made.

(7) A guardian may only be appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Article or Article 160.