26 Wards of court.U.K.
(1)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.
(2)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.
[F1(2A)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).]
(3)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.
(4)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.
Textual Amendments
F1S. 26(2A) added (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/755 (N.I. 2), arts. 1(2), 185(1), Sch. 9 para. 90 (with Sch. 8 paras. 1(1), 23(4)) S.R. 1996/297, art. 2(2)