Part II

Recognition and Enforcement of Custody Decisions

Reports.
21
Where the Lord Chancellor, the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland or the Secretary of State is requested to make enquiries about a child under Article 15(1)(b) of the Convention he may—
a
request a local authority or an officer of the Service or a Welsh family proceedings officer to make a report to him in writing with respect to any matter relating to the child concerned which appears to him to be relevant;
b
request the Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland to arrange for a suitably qualified person to make such a report to him;
c
request any court to which a written report relating to the child has been made to send him a copy of the report;
and any such request shall be duly complied with.
S. 21 applied (with modifications) (1.3.1997) by S.I. 1996/3156, art. 2, Sch.
S. 21 applied (with modifications) (2.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/2574 art. 2, Sch.
Words in s. 21(a) substituted (1.4.2001) by 2000 c. 43, s. 74, 80(1), Sch. 7 Pt. II para. 80; S.I. 2001/919, art. 2(f)(ii)
Words in s. 21(a) inserted (E.W.) (1.4.2005) by Children Act 2004 (c. 31), s. 67(6), Sch. 3 para. 3; S.I. 2005/700, art. 2(2)
Words in s. 21 inserted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 18 para. 37 (with arts. 28-31)