Where the Lord Chancellor[F1, the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland] or the Secretary of State is requested to make enquiries about a child under Article 15(1)(b) of the Convention he may—
(a)request a local authority or [F2an officer of the Service][F3or a Welsh family proceedings officer] to make a report to him in writing with respect to any matter relating to the child concerned which appears to him to be relevant;
(b)request the Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland to arrange for a suitably qualified person to make such a report to him;
(c)request any court to which a written report relating to the child has been made to send him a copy of the report;
and any such request shall be duly complied with.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 21 inserted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 18 para. 37 (with arts. 28-31)
F2Words in s. 21(a) substituted (1.4.2001) by 2000 c. 43, s. 74, 80(1), Sch. 7 Pt. II para. 80; S.I. 2001/919, art. 2(f)(ii)
F3Words in s. 21(a) inserted (E.W.) (1.4.2005) by Children Act 2004 (c. 31), s. 67(6), Sch. 3 para. 3; S.I. 2005/700, art. 2(2)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 21 applied (with modifications) (1.3.1997) by S.I. 1996/3156, art. 2, Sch.
S. 21 applied (with modifications) (2.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/2574 art. 2, Sch.
