2 Central Authorities and accredited bodies.E+W+S
(1)The functions under the Convention of the Central Authority are to be discharged—
(a)separately in relation to England and Scotland by the Secretary of State; and
(b)in relation to Wales by the National Assembly for Wales.
(2)A communication may be sent to the Central Authority in relation to any part of Great Britain by sending it (for forwarding if necessary) to the Central Authority in relation to England.
[F1(2A)[F2A registered adoption society] is an accredited body for the purposes of the Convention if, in accordance with the conditions of the registration, the [F3society] may provide facilities in respect of Convention adoptions and adoptions effected by Convention adoption orders.]
[F4(2B)A registered adoption service is an accredited body for the purposes of the Convention if, in accordance with the conditions of its registration, the service may provide facilities in respect of Convention adoptions and adoptions effected by Convention adoption orders.]
(3)An approved adoption society is an accredited body for the purposes of the Convention if the approval extends to the provision of facilities in respect of Convention adoptions and adoptions effected by Convention adoption orders.
(4)The functions under Article 9(a) to (c) of the Convention are to be discharged by local authorities and accredited bodies on behalf of the Central Authority.
[F5(5)In this section, “registered adoption society” has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (basic definitions); and expressions used in this section in its application to England and Wales which are also used in that Act have the same meanings as in that Act.]
[F6(6)In this section in its application to Scotland, “registered adoption service” means an adoption service provided as mentioned in section 2(11)(b) of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 (asp 8) and registered under Part 1 of that Act; and “registration” shall be construed accordingly.]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 2(2A) inserted (30.4.2003 for W., 1.6.2003 for E.) by Care Standards Act 2000 (c. 14), s. 122, Sch. 4 para. 27(a); S.I. 2003/365, art. 3(6)(a) (with Sch.); S.I. 2003/501, art. 2(3)(a)
F2Words in s. 2(2A) substituted (30.12.2005) by Adoption and Children Act 2002 (c. 38), s. 148(1), Sch. 3 para. 97(a) (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2005/2213, art. 2(o)
F3Word in s. 2(2A) substituted (30.12.2005) by Adoption and Children Act 2002 (c. 38), s. 148(1), Sch. 3 para. 97(b) (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2005/2213, art. 2(o)
F4S. 2(2B) inserted (S.) (1.4.2004) by Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 (asp 8), s. 81(2), sch. 3 para. 22(b); S.S.I. 2004/100, art. 2(e) (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (30.9.2004) by S.S.I. 2004/377, art. 2)
F5S. 2(5) substituted (30.12.2005) by Adoption and Children Act 2002 (c. 38), s. 148(1), Sch. 3 para. 98 (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2005/2213, art. 2(o)
F6S. 2(6) substituted (S.) (1.4.2004) by Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 (asp 8), s. 81(2), sch. 3 para. 22(c); S.S.I. 2004/100, art. 2(e) (with arts. 3, 4) (as amended (30.9.2004) by S.S.I. 2004/377, art. 2)
Commencement Information
I1S. 2(1)(2)(4) in force at 1.6.2003 for E.W. by S.I. 2003/189, art. 2(2)(a)
I2S. 2(1)-(4) (6) in force at 1.6.2003 for S. by S.S.I. 2003/121, art. 2(a)