The Adoption (Northern Ireland) Order 1987

Article 6(4).

SCHEDULE 1 APPEAL TRIBUNALS

Constitution

1.  An Appeal Tribunal shall consist of the following members, that is to say—

• a chairman, who shall be a practising barrister-at-law of not less than 7 years' standing, appointed by the Lord Chief Justice;

• a member appearing to the Department to be a suitably qualified person with experience in children’s welfare work, appointed by the Department;

• a member with experience in the administration of a voluntary organisation concerned with the welfare of children, appointed by the Department.

2.  An officer of a government department shall not be appointed a member of an Appeal Tribunal.

3.  Any decision of an Appeal Tribunal shall be made by the chairman after consultation with the other members.

4.  The Department may nominate one of its officers to act as clerk of an Appeal Tribunal.

Procedure

5.  An Appeal Tribunal may give directions with respect to the practice and procedure to be followed in any proceedings before the Tribunal and any thing incidental to or consequential on such proceedings.

Costs

6.  An Appeal Tribunal may make orders as to the costs incurred by the Department and the appellant and as to the parties by whom the costs are to be paid; and any costs of the Department which are so ordered to be paid by the appellant shall be a debt recoverable summarily by the Department from the appellant.