In these Regulations—

• “Central Authority” has the meaning given by regulation 9(1);

• “Contracting State” means a state party to the Convention;

• “the Convention” means the Convention on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-Operation in respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children that was signed at The Hague on 19 October 19963;

• F1...

• “Department of Justice” means the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland;

• “local authority” means—

  1. a

     in relation to England, the council of a county, a metropolitan district, the Council of the Isles of Scilly, a London borough or the Common Council of the City of London, and

  2. b

     in relation to Wales, the council of a county or a county borough;

• F2...

• “Northern Ireland authority” means an authority within the meaning given by Article 2(2) of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 19955;

• “public authority” means a body whose functions are wholly or mainly of a public nature;

• “Welsh family proceedings officer” has the meaning given by section 35 of the Children Act 20046.