The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995

Appointment by parent or guardian

160.—(1) A parent who has parental responsibility for his child may appoint another individual to be the child’s guardian in the event of his death.

(2) A guardian of a child may appoint another individual to take his place as the child’s guardian in the event of his death.

(3) An appointment under paragraph (1) or (2) shall not have effect unless it is made—

(a) by will or by deed; or

(b) by a written and dated instrument which is signed—

(i) by the person making the appointment, or

(ii) at his direction, in his presence and in the presence of two witnesses each of whom attests the signature.

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

(5) Where—

(a) on the death of any person making an appointment under paragraph (1) or (2), the child concerned has no parent with parental responsibility for him; or

(b) immediately before the death of any person making such an appointment, a residence order in his favour was in force with respect to the child,

the appointment shall take effect on the death of that person.

(6) Where, on the death of any person making an appointment under paragraph (1) or (2)—

(a) the child concerned has a parent with parental responsibility for him; and

(b) paragraph (5)(b) does not apply,

the appointment shall take effect when the child no longer has a parent who has parental responsibility for him.

(7) Paragraph (5) 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.

(8) Nothing in this Article shall be taken to prevent an appointment under paragraph (1) or (2) being made by two or more persons acting jointly.