Adoption and Children Act (Northern Ireland) 2022

Renaming of guardians ad litem

137.—(1) A guardian ad litem is to be known as a children’s court guardian.

(2) In Articles 60 and 61 of the Children Order (guardians ad litem)—

(a) for “guardian ad litem” (wherever occurring) substitute “children’s court guardian”;

(b) for “guardians ad litem” (wherever occurring) substitute “children’s court guardians”.

(3) In the cross-heading preceding Article 60 for “Guardians ad litem” substitute “Children’s court guardians”.

(4) In each of the following for “guardian ad litem” substitute “children’s court guardian”—

(a) paragraph 6 of Schedule 2 to the Access to Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 (civil legal services: excluded services);

(b) paragraph 1(6) of Schedule 2 to the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (regulated activity);

(c) Article 28(11) of the Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (positions of trust).

(5) Any reference in any other statutory provision to a guardian ad litem is to be read as a reference to a children’s court guardian.