Adoption and Children Act (Northern Ireland) 2022

Orders under section 49: supplementary

50.—(1) An order under section 49—

(a) may contain directions about how it is to be carried into effect;

(b) may be made subject to any conditions the court thinks appropriate;

(c) may be varied or revoked by the court on an application by the child, a person in whose favour the adoption order was made or a person named in the order; and

(d) has effect until the child’s 18th birthday or an earlier date as specified by the court, unless revoked.

(2) Subsection (3) applies to proceedings—

(a) on an application for an adoption order in which—

(i) an application is made for an order under section 49; or

(ii) the court indicates that it is considering making such an order on its own initiative;

(b) on an application for an order under section 49;

(c) on an application for such an order to be varied or revoked.

(3) The court must (in the light of any rules of court made by virtue of subsection (4))—

(a) draw up a timetable with a view to determining without delay whether to make, (or as the case may be) vary or revoke an order under section 49; and

(b) give directions for the purpose of ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, that that timetable is adhered to.

(4) Rules of court may—

(a) specify periods within which specified steps must be taken in relation to proceedings to which subsection (3) applies; and

(b) make other provision with respect to such proceedings for the purpose of ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the court makes determinations about orders under section 49 without delay.