Explanatory Notes

Adoption and Children Act 2002

2002 CHAPTER 38

7th November 2002

Commentary on Sections

Part 1 – Adoption

Chapter 3  - Placement for Adoption and Adoption Orders
Section 59: Offence

169.Section 59 enables regulations to provide that a registered adoption society which discloses information in contravention of section 57 is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.  Section 14 provides a default power for the appropriate Minister.  This could in appropriate cases be used to deal with local authorities that disclose information in contravention of these provisions.