Part 1

Adoption
Chapter 3

Placement for adoption and adoption orders

Post-adoption contact

Orders under section 51A: supplementary
51B
1
An order under section 51A—
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, 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 51A, 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 51A;
c
on an application for such an order to be varied or revoked.
3
The court must (in the light of any rules 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 51A, 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 51A without delay.
Ss. 51A, 51B and cross-heading inserted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), ss. 9(1), 139(6); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(a) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10)