In section 32A of the M1Children and Young Persons Act 1969 (conflict of interest between parent and child or young person), after subsection (4) there shall be inserted—

“(4A)

Where an order is made under this section in respect of a parent or guardian in relation to any proceedings he shall by virtue of the order be made a party to the proceedings.”

After section 32B of that Act there shall be inserted—

“32C Applications by grandparents to be parties to proceedings.

(1)

Where in any such proceedings as are mentioned in section 32A(1) of this Act any grandparent of the child or young person in respect of whom the proceedings are brought makes an application to the court under this section, the court may, in such circumstances as may be specified in rules of court, give leave for the grandparent to be made a party to the proceedings.

(2)

Rules of court shall make provision as to the circumstances in which the court may give leave under subsection (1) above.

(3)

In this section “the court” includes a single justice.”.

For the first sentence of subsection (6A) of section 28 of the M2Legal Aid Act 1974 (power to order legal aid to be given to parent or guardian in respect of whom an order has been made under section 32A of the said Act of 1969) there shall be substituted—

“Where a court—

(a)

makes an order under section 32A of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969 by virtue of which a parent or guardian is made a party to any proceedings; or

(b)

gives leave for a grandparent to be made a party to any proceedings under section 32C of that Act,

it may order that the parent or guardian or, as the case may be, grandparent shall be given legal aid for the purpose of those proceedings.”.