The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995

Interim orders

57.—(1) Where—

(a) in any proceedings on an application for a care or a supervision order, the proceedings are adjourned; or

(b) the court gives a direction under Article 56(1),

the court may make an interim care order or an interim supervision order with respect to the child concerned.

(2) A court shall not make an interim care order or interim supervision order under this Article unless it is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the circumstances with respect to the child are as mentioned in Article 50(2).

(3) Where, in any proceedings on an application for a care or a supervision order, a court makes a residence order with respect to the child concerned, it shall also make an interim supervision order with respect to him unless it is satisfied that his welfare will be satisfactorily safeguarded without an interim supervision order being made.

(4) An interim order made under this Article shall have effect for such period as may be specified in the order, but shall in any event cease to have effect on whichever of the following first occurs—

(a) the expiry of the period of eight weeks beginning with the date on which the order is made;

(b) if the order is the second or subsequent such order made with respect to the same child in the same proceedings, the expiry of the relevant period;

(c) in a case which falls within paragraph (1)(a), the disposal of the application;

(d) in a case which falls within paragraph (1)(b), the disposal of an application for a care or a supervision order made by the authority with respect to the child;

(e) in a case which falls within paragraph (1)(b) and in which—

(i) the court has given a direction under Article 56(4), but

(ii) no application for a care or a supervision order has been made with respect to the child,

the expiry of the period fixed by that direction.

(5) In paragraph (4)(b) “the relevant period” means—

(a) the period of four weeks beginning with the date on which the order in question is made; or

(b) the period of eight weeks beginning with the date on which the first order was made if that period ends later than the period mentioned in sub-paragraph (a).

(6) Where the court makes an interim care order or interim supervision order, it may give such directions (if any) as it considers appropriate with regard to the medical or psychiatric examination or other assessment of the child; but if the child is of sufficient understanding to make an informed decision he may refuse to submit to the examination or other assessment.

(7) A direction under paragraph (6) may be to the effect that there is to be—

(a) no such examination or assessment; or

(b) no such examination or assessment unless the court directs otherwise.

(8) A direction under paragraph (6) may be—

(a) given when the interim order is made or at any time while it is in force; and

(b) varied at any time on the application of any person falling within any class of person prescribed by rules of court for the purposes of this paragraph.

(9) Paragraphs 4 and 5 of Schedule 3 shall not apply in relation to an interim supervision order.

(10) Where a court makes an order under this Article it shall, in determining the period for which the order is to be in force, consider whether any party who was, or might have been, opposed to the making of the order was in a position to argue his case against the order in full.