The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995

1.—(1) The Lord Chancellor may by order specify proceedings under this Order which may only be commenced in—

(a) a specified level of court;

(b) a court which falls within a specified class of court; or

(c) a particular court determined in accordance with, or specified in, the order.

(2) The Lord Chancellor may by order specify circumstances in which specified proceedings under this Order (which might otherwise be commenced elsewhere) may only be commenced in—

(a) a specified level of court;

(b) a court which falls within a specified class of court; or

(c) a particular court determined in accordance with, or specified in, the order.

(3) Sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) shall also apply in relation to proceedings—

(a) under Article 28 of the Child Support (Northern Ireland) Order 1991(1) (reference to court for declaration of parentage); or

(b) which are to be dealt with in accordance with an order made under Article 42 of that Order (jurisdiction of courts in certain proceedings under that Order).

(4) The Lord Chancellor may by order make provision by virtue of which, where specified proceedings with respect to a child under—

(a) this Order;

(b) Article 22 (appeals) or 28 (reference to court for declaration of parentage) of the Child Support (Northern Ireland) Order 1991; or

(c) the High Court’s inherent jurisdiction with respect to children,

have been commenced in or transferred to any court (whether or not by virtue of an order under this Schedule), any other specified family proceedings which may affect, or are otherwise connected with, the child may, in specified circumstances, only be commenced in that court.

(5) A class of court specified in an order under this Schedule may be described by reference to a description of proceedings and may include different levels of court.

(1)

1991 NI 23