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Family Law Reform Act 1969
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- UK Public General Acts
- 1969 c. 46
- Part III
- Section 21
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21 Consents, etc., required for taking of [F1bodily sample].E+W
(1)Subject to the provisions of subsections (3) and (4) of this section, a [F1bodily sample] which is required to be taken from any person for the purpose of giving effect to a direction under section 20 of this Act shall not be taken from that person except with his consent.
(2)The consent of a minor who has attained the age of sixteen years to the taking from himself of a [F1bodily sample] shall be as effective as it would be if he were of full age; and where a minor has by virtue of this subsection given an effective consent to the taking of a [F1bodily sample] it shall not be necessary to obtain any consent for it from any other person.
(3)A [F1bodily sample] may be taken from a person under the age of sixteen years, not being such a person as is referred to in subsection (4) of this section,.
F2[(a)if the person who has the care and control of him consents; or
(b)where that person does not consent, if the court considers that it would be in his best interests for the sample to be taken.]
[F3(4)A bodily sample may be taken from a person who lacks capacity (within the meaning of the Mental Capacity Act 2005) to give his consent, if consent is given by the court giving the direction under section 20 or by—
(a)a donee of an enduring power of attorney or lasting power of attorney (within the meaning of that Act), or
(b)a deputy appointed, or any other person authorised, by the Court of Protection,
with power in that respect.]
(5)The foregoing provisions of this section are without prejudice to the provisions of section 23 of this Act.
Textual Amendments
F1Words substituted (1.4.2001) by Family Law Reform Act 1987 (c. 42, SIF 49:7), s. 33(1), Sch. 2 para. 22; S.I. 2001/777, art. 2
F2S. 21(3)(a)(b) substituted (1.4.2001) for words in s. 21(3) by 2000 c. 19, s. 82(3) (with s. 83(6)); S.I. 2001/774, art. 2
F3S. 21(4) substituted (1.10.2007) by Mental Capacity Act 2005 (c. 9), s. 68(1), Sch. 6 para. 15 (with ss. 27-29, 62); S.I. 2007/1897, art. 2(1)(d)
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