Subject to the provisions of this section, no minor shall be made a ward of court except by virtue of an order to that effect made by the High Court.

Where application is made for such an order in respect of a minor, the minor shall become a ward of court on the making of the application, but shall cease to be a ward of court at the expiration of such period as may be prescribed, unless within that period an order has been made in accordance with the application.

Subsection (2) does not apply with respect to a child who is the subject of a care order (as defined by Article 2(2) of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995).

The High Court may, either upon an application in that behalf or without such an application, order that any minor who is for the time being a ward of court shall cease to be a ward of court.

The power of the High Court to make a minor a ward of court or to make an order in relation to a minor who is a ward of court may be exercised irrespective of whether or not the minor has property of any kind.