This Order is the fifth Commencement Order made under the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (“the Act”) and applies to Wales only.

The Order brings the following provisions of the Act into force on 7th February 2004 —

• sections 2(6) and 65, being interpretation provisions;

• regulation-making powers in sections 4(6) and (7), 9 to 11, 12(1) to (3), 27(3), 53(1) to (3), 54, 56(1) and (3), 57(6), 59, 63, 64 and 98;

• only for the purposes of making regulations, sections 4(1)(b) and (5), 57(5), 58(2) and (3), 60(2) and (4), 61(5)(c) and 62(7)(c);

• paragraphs 3 (adoption support services) and 5 (independent review mechanism) of Schedule 4.