The Intercountry Adoption (Hague Convention) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003

Adoption panel function

24.—(1) The adoption panel must consider the case of the child and make a recommendation to the HSS trust as to whether adoption by a person habitually resident in a Convention country outside the British Islands is in the best interests of the child.

(2) In considering what recommendation to make, the panel must have regard to the duties imposed upon the HSS trust by Article 9 of the 1987 Order (duty to promote welfare of the child) and–

(a) must consider and take into account all the information and reports passed to it under regulation 23(2);

(b) request the HSS trust to obtain any other relevant information which the panel considers necessary; and

(c) obtain legal advice in relation to the case as may be necessary.