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Part IU.K. Child Custody

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1Pt. I applied by S.I. 1991/1723, art. 3(2), Sch. 2 and art. 3(3), Sch. 3.

Chapter IU.K. Preliminary

1 Orders to which Part I applies.E+W+N.I.

(1)Subject to the following provisions of this section, in this Part “ [F1Part I order]” means—

[F2(a)a section 8 order made by a court in England and Wales under the Children Act 1989, other than an order varying or discharging such an order]

[F3(aa)a special guardianship order made by a court in England and Wales under the Children Act 1989;

(ab)an order made under section 26 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (contact), other than an order varying or revoking such an order]

(b)an order made by a court of civil jurisdiction in Scotland under any enactment or rule of law with respect to the [F4residence, custody, care or control of a child, contact with or], access to a child or the education or upbringing of a child, excluding—

(i)an order committing the care of a child to a local authority or placing a child under the supervision of a local authority;

(ii)an adoption order as defined in section 12(1) of the M1Adoption (Scotland) Act 1978;

(iii)an order freeing a child for adoption made under section 18 of the said Act of 1978;

(iv)an order [F5giving parental responsibilities and parental rights in relation to] a child made in the course of proceedings for the adoption of the child (other than an order made following the making of a direction under section 53(1) of the Children Act 1975);

(v)an order made under the M2Education (Scotland) Act 1980;

(vi)an order made under Part II or III of the M3Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968;

(vii)an order made under the M4Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985;

(viii)an order for the delivery of a child or other order for the enforcement of a [F1Part I order];

(ix)an order relating to the tutory or curatory of a child;

[F6(c)an Article 8 order made by a court in Northern Ireland under the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, other than an order varying or discharging such an order;]

[F7(d)an order made by a court in England and Wales in the exercise of the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court with respect to children—

(i)so far as it gives care of a child to any person or provides for contact with, or the education of, a child; but

(ii)excluding an order varying or revoking such an order;]

[F8(e)an order made by the High Court in Northern Ireland in the exercise of its inherent jurisdiction with respect to children—

(i)so far as it gives care of a child to any person or provides for contact with, or the education of, a child; but

(ii)excluding an order varying or discharging such an order;]

(2)In this Part “ [F1Part I order]” does not include—

F9(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F10(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F11(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F12(3)In this Part, “Part I order”—

(a)includes any order which would have been a custody order by virtue of this section in any form in which it was in force at any time before its amendment by the Children Act 1989 [F13or the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, as the case may be]; and

(b)(subject to section 32 and 40 of this Act) excludes any order which would have been excluded from being a custody order by virtue of this section in any such form.]

(6)Provision may be made by act of sederunt prescribing, in relation to orders within subsection (1)(b) above, what constitutes an application for the purposes of this Part.

Extent Information

E1This version of this provision extends to England and Wales and Northern Ireland only; a separate version has been created for Scotland only

Textual Amendments

F1Words in S. 1(1) substituted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108, Sch. 13 para. 62(2)(a)(with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

F4Words in s. 1(1)(b) substituted (1.11.1996) by 1995 c. 36, s. 105(4), Sch. 4 para. 41(2)(a); S.I. 1996/2203, art. 3, Sch.

F5Words in s. 1(1)(b)(iv) substituted (1.11.1996) by 1995 c. 36, s. 105(4), Sch. 4 para. 41(2)(b); S.I. 1996/2203, art. 3, Sch.

F6S. 1(1)(c) substituted (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/756, art. 12(2)(a)(i); S.R. 1996/297, para. 3

F7S. 1(1)(d)(e) substituted (14.10.1991) for s. 1(1)(d) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108, Sch. 13 para. 63(1)(b) (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

F8S. 1(1)(e) substituted (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/756, art. 12(2)(a)(ii); S.R. 1996/297, para. 3

F9S. 1(2)(a) repealed (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/756, art. 15, Sch.; S.R. 1996/297, para. 3

F11S. 1(2)(c) repealed (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/756, art. 15, Sch.; S.R. 1996/297, para. 3

F13Words in s. 1(3) inserted (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/756, art. 12(2)(b); S.R. 1996/297, para. 3

Marginal Citations

1 Orders to which Part I applies.S

(1)Subject to the following provisions of this section, in this Part “ [F183Part I order]” means—

[F184(a)a section 8 order made by a court in England and Wales under the Children Act 1989, other than an order varying or discharging such an order]

[F3(aa)a special guardianship order made by a court in England and Wales under the Children Act 1989;

(ab)an order made under section 26 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (contact), other than an order varying or revoking such an order]

(b)an order made by a court of civil jurisdiction in Scotland under any enactment or rule of law with respect to the [F185residence, custody, care or control of a child, contact with or], access to a child or the education or upbringing of a child, excluding—

(i)an order committing the care of a child to a local authority or placing a child under the supervision of a local authority;

(ii)an adoption order as defined in section 12(1) of the M5Adoption (Scotland) Act 1978;

(iii)an order freeing a child for adoption made under section 18 of the said Act of 1978;

(iv)an order [F186giving parental responsibilities and parental rights in relation to] a child made in the course of proceedings for the adoption of the child (other than an order made following the making of a direction under section 53(1) of the Children Act 1975);

(v)an order made under the M6Education (Scotland) Act 1980;

(vi)an order made under Part II or III of the M7Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968;

(vii)an order made under the M8Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985;

(viii)an order for the delivery of a child or other order for the enforcement of a [F183Part I order];

(ix)an order relating to the [F187guardianship]of a child;

[F188(c)an Article 8 order made by a court in Northern Ireland under the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, other than an order varying or discharging such an order;]

[F189(d)an order made by a court in England and Wales in the exercise of the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court with respect to children—

(i)so far as it gives care of a child to any person or provides for contact with, or the education of, a child; but

(ii)excluding an order varying or revoking such an order;]

[F190(e)an order made by the High Court in Northern Ireland in the exercise of its inherent jurisdiction with respect to children—

(i)so far as it gives care of a child to any person or provides for contact with, or the education of, a child; but

(ii)excluding an order varying or discharging such an order;]

(2)In this Part “ [F183Part I order]” does not include—

F191(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F192(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F193(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F194(3)In this Part, “Part I order”—

(a)includes any order which would have been a custody order by virtue of this section in any form in which it was in force at any time before its amendment by the Children Act 1989 [F195or the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, as the case may be]; and

(b)(subject to section 32 and 40 of this Act) excludes any order which would have been excluded from being a custody order by virtue of this section in any such form.]

(6)Provision may be made by act of sederunt prescribing, in relation to orders within subsection (1)(b) above, what constitutes an application for the purposes of this Part.

Extent Information

E2This version of this provision extends to Scotland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales and Northern Ireland only

Textual Amendments

F183Words in S. 1(1) substituted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108, Sch. 13 para. 62(2)(a)(with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

F185Words in s. 1(1)(b) substituted (1.11.1996) by 1995 c. 36, s. 105(4), Sch. 4 para. 41(2)(a); S.I. 1996/2203, art. 3(3), Sch.

F186Words in s. 1(1)(b)(iv) substituted (1.11.1996) by 1995 c. 36, s. 105(4), Sch. 4 para. 41(2)(b); S.I. 1996/2203, art. 3(3), Sch.

F187Words in s. 1(1)(b)(ix) substituted (S.) (25.9.1991) by Age of Legal Capacity (Scotland) Act 1991 (c. 50, SIF 49:8), ss. 10(1), 11(2), Sch. 1 para. 44.

F188S. 1(1)(c) substituted (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/756, art. 12(2)(a)(i); S.R. 1996/297, para. 3

F189S. 1(1)(d)(e) substituted (14.10.1991) for s. 1(1)(d) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108, Sch. 13 para. 63(1)(b) (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

F190S. 1(1)(e) substituted (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/756, art. 12(2)(a)(ii); S.R. 1996/297, para. 3

F191S. 1(2)(a) repealed (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/756, art. 15, Sch.; S.R. 1996/297, para. 3

F193S. 1(2)(c) repealed (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/756, art. 15, Sch.; S.R. 1996/297, para. 3

F195Words in s. 1(3) inserted (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/756, art. 12(2)(b); S.R. 1996/297, para. 3

Marginal Citations

Chapter IIE+W Jurisdiction of Courts in England and Wales

[F14[F152 Jurisdiction: general.E+W

(1)A court in England and Wales shall not make a section 1(1)(a) order with respect to a child unless—

(a)it has jurisdiction under the Council Regulation, or

(b)the Council Regulation does not apply but—

(i)the question of making the order arises in or in connection with matrimonial proceedings [F16or civil partnership proceedings] and the condition in section 2A of this Act is satisfied, or

(ii)the condition in section 3 of this Act is satisfied.]

[F17(2A)A court in England and Wales shall not have jurisdiction to make a special guardianship order under the Children Act 1989 unless the condition in section 3 of this Act is satisfied.

(2B)A court in England and Wales shall not have jurisdiction to make an order under section 26 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 unless the condition in section 3 of this Act is satisfied.]

[F18(3)A court in England and Wales shall not make a section 1(1)(d) order unless—

(a)it has jurisdiction under the Council Regulation, or

(b)the Council Regulation does not apply but—

(i)the condition in section 3 of this Act is satisfied, or

(ii)the child concerned is present in England and Wales on the relevant date and the court considers that the immediate exercise of its powers is necessary for his protection.]]

Textual Amendments

[F192A Jurisdiction in or in connection with matrimonial proceedings [F20or civil partnership proceedings] .E+W

(1)The condition referred to in section 2(1) of this Act is that the F21... proceedings are proceedings in respect of the marriage [F22or civil partnership] of the parents of the child concerned and—

(a)the proceedings—

(i)are proceedings for divorce or nullity of marriage [F23, or dissolution or annulment of a civil partnership], and

(ii)are continuing;

(b)the proceedings—

(i)are proceedings for judicial separation [F24or legal separation of civil partners],

(ii)are continuing,

and the jurisdiction of the court is not excluded by subsection (2) below; or

(c)the proceedings have been dismissed after the beginning of the trial but—

(i)the section 1(1)(a) order is being made forthwith, or

(ii)the application for the order was made on or before the dismissal.

[F25(2)For the purposes of subsection (1)(b) above, the jurisdiction of the court is excluded if—

(a)after the grant of a decree of judicial separation, on the relevant date, proceedings for divorce or nullity in respect of the marriage, or

(b)after the making of a separation order, on the relevant date, proceedings for dissolution or annulment in respect of the civil partnership,

are continuing in Scotland or Northern Ireland.]

(3)Subsection (2) above shall not apply if the court in which the other proceedings there referred to are continuing has made—

(a)an order under section 13(6) or [F2619A(4)] of this Act (not being an order made by virtue of section 13(6)(a)(i)), or

(b)an order under section 14(2) or 22(2) of this Act which is recorded as being made for the purpose of enabling Part I proceedings to be taken in England and Wales with respect to the child concerned.

(4)Where a court—

(a)has jurisdiction to make a section 1(1)(a) order [F27by virtue of section 2(1)(b)(i) of this Act], but

(b)considers that it would be more appropriate for Part I matters relating to the child to be determined outside England and Wales,

the court may by order direct that, while the order under this subsection is in force, no section 1(1)(a) order shall be made by any court [F28by virtue of section 2(1)(b)(i) of this Act].]

Textual Amendments

F26Words in s. 2A(3)(a) substituted (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/756, art. 12(5); S.R. 1996/297, para. 3

3 Habitual residence or presence of child.E+W

(1)The condition referred to in [F29section 2(1)(b)(ii)] of this Act is that on the relevant date the child concerned—

(a)is habitually resident in England and Wales, or

(b)is present in England and Wales and is not habitually resident in any part of the United Kingdom,

and, in either case, the jurisdiction of the court is not excluded by subsection (2) below.

(2)For the purposes of subsection (1) above, the jurisdiction of the court is excluded if, on the relevant date, [F30matrimonial proceedings] [F31or civil partnership proceedings] are continuing in a court in Scotland or Northern Ireland in respect of the marriage [F32or civil partnership] of the parents of the child concerned.

(3)Subsection (2) above shall not apply if the court in which the other proceedings there referred to are continuing has made—

(a)an order under section 13(6) or [F3319A(4)] of this Act (not being an order made by virtue of section 13(6)(a)(i)), or

(b)an order under section 14(2) or 22(2) of this Act which is recorded as made for the purpose of enabling [F34Part I proceedings with respect to] the child concerned to be taken in England and Wales,

and that order is in force.

F35(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F33Words in s. 3(3)(a) substituted (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/756, art. 12(5); S.R. 1996/297, art. 3

F34Words in s. 3(3)(b) substituted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108, Sch. 13 para. 62(2)(b) (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

F364. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

5 Power of court to refuse application or stay proceedings.E+W

(1)A court in England and Wales which has jurisdiction to make a [F37Part I order] may refuse an application for the order in any case where the matter in question has already been determined in proceedings outside England and Wales.

(2)Where, at any stage of the proceedings on an application made to a court in England and Wales for a [F37Part I order], or for the variation of a [F37Part I order], F38... it appears to the court—

(a)that proceedings with respect to the matters to which the application relates are continuing outside England and Wales, or

(b)that it would be more appropriate for those matters to be determined in proceedings to be taken outside England and Wales, [F39or

(c)that it should exercise its powers under Article 15 of the Council Regulation (transfer to a court better placed to hear the case),]

the court may stay the proceedings on the application [F40or (as the case may be) exercise its powers under Article 15].

[F41(2A)If the proceedings on the application are proceedings in which a contact activity direction has been made under section 11A of the Children Act 1989 (or an enforcement order has been made under section 11J of that Act), the court may when granting a stay under or by virtue of subsection (2) also suspend the contact activity direction (or the enforcement order).]

(3)The court may remove a stay granted [F42by virtue of subsection (2)(a) or (b) above] if it appears to the court that there has been unreasonable delay in the taking or prosecution of the other proceedings referred to in that subsection, or that those proceedings are stayed, sisted or concluded.

[F43(3A)The court may remove a stay granted under Article 15 of the Council Regulation only in accordance with that Article.]

[F44(3B)If the stay removed under subsection (3) or (3A) is a stay in relation to which the court suspended a contact activity direction made under section 11A of the Children Act 1989 (or an enforcement order made under section 11J of that Act), the court may when removing the stay under subsection (3) or (3A) also bring the suspension to an end.]

(4)Nothing in this section [F45so far as it relates to proceedings not governed by the Council Regulation] shall affect any power exercisable apart from this section to refuse an application or to grant or remove a stay.

Textual Amendments

6 Duration and variation of custody orders.E+W

(1)[F46Part I order] made by a court in Scotland or Northern Ireland (or a variation of such an order) comes into force with respect to a child at a time when a [F46Part I order] made by a court in England and Wales has effect with respect to him, the latter order shall cease to have effect so far as it makes provision for any matter for which the same or different provision is made by (or by the variation of) the order made by the court in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

(2)Where by virtue of subsection (1) above a [F46Part I order] has ceased to have effect so far as it makes provision for any matter, a court in England or Wales shall not have jurisdiction to vary that order so as to make provision for that matter.

[F47(3)A court in England and Wales shall not have jurisdiction to vary a Part I order if, on the relevant date, matrimonial proceedings [F48or civil partnership proceedings] are continuing in Scotland or Northern Ireland in respect of the marriage [F49or civil partnership] of the parents of the child concerned.

[F50(3A)Subsection (3) shall not apply if—

(a)the Part 1 order was made in or in connection with proceedings—

(i)for divorce or nullity in England and Wales in respect of the marriage of the parents of the child concerned; or

(ii)for dissolution or annulment in England and Wales in respect of the civil partnership of the parents of the child concerned; and

(b)those proceedings are continuing.]

[F50(3B)Subsection (3) shall not apply if—

(a)the Part 1 order was made in or in connection with proceedings—

(i)for judicial separation in England and Wales; or

(ii)for a separation order in England and Wales; and

(b)those proceedings are continuing; and

(c)as the case may be, the decree of judicial separation has not yet been granted or the separation order has not yet been made.]]

(4)Subsection (3) above shall not apply if the court in which the proceedings there referred to are continuing has made—

(a)an order under section 13(6) or [F5119A(4)] of this Act (not being an order made by virtue of section 13(6)(a)(i)), or

(b)an order under section 14(2) or 22(2) of this Act which is recorded as made for the purpose of enabling [F52Part I proceedings with respect to] the child concerned to be taken in England and Wales,

and that order is in force.

(5)Subsection (3) above shall not apply in the case of a [F53variation of a section 1(1)(d) order if the child concerned] is present in England and Wales on the relevant date and the court considers that the immediate exercise of its powers is necessary for his protection.

[F54(6)Subsection (7) below applies where a Part I order which is—

(a)a residence order (within the meaning of the Children Act 1989) in favour of a person with respect to a child,

(b)an order made in the exercise of the High Court’s inherent jurisdiction with respect to children by virtue of which a person has care of a child, or

(c)an order—

(i)of a kind mentioned in section 1(3)(a) of this Act,

(ii)under which a person is entitled to the actual possession of a child,

ceases to have effect in relation to that person by virtue of subsection (1) above.

(7)Where this subsection applies, any family assistance order made under section 16 of the Children Act 1989 with respect to the child shall also cease to have effect.

(8)For the purposes of subsection (7) above the reference to a family assistance order under section 16 of the Children Act 1989 shall be deemed to include a reference to an order for the supervision of a child made under—

(a)section 7(4) of the Family Law Reform Act 1969,

(b)section 44 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973,

(c)section 2(2)(a) of the Guardianship Act 1973,

(d)section 34(5) or 36(3)(b) of the Children Act 1975, or

(e)section 9 of the Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates’ Courts Act 1978;

but this subsection shall cease to have effect once all such orders for the supervision of children have ceased to have effect in accordance with Schedule 14 to the Children Act 1989.]

Textual Amendments

F51Words in s. 6(4)(a) substituted (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/756, art. 12(5); S.R. 1996/297, para. 3

[F557 Interpretation of Chapter II.E+W

In this Chapter—

(a)“child” means a person who has not attained the age of eighteen;

[F56(aa)“civil partnership proceedings” means proceedings for the dissolution or annulment of a civil partnership or for legal separation of the civil partners;]

(b)“matrimonial proceedings” means proceedings for divorce, nullity of marriage or judicial separation;

(c)“the relevant date” means, in relation to the making or variation of an order—

(i)where an application is made for an order to be made or varied, the date of the application (or first application, if two or more are determined together), and

(ii)where no such application is made, the date on which the court is considering whether to make or, as the case may be, vary the order; and

(d)“section 1(1)(a) order” and “section 1(1)(d) order” mean orders falling within section 1(1)(a) and (d) of this Act respectively.]

Textual Amendments

Chapter IIIS Jurisdiction of Courts in Scotland

8 Jurisdiction in independent proceedings.S

A court in Scotland may entertain an application for a [F57Part I order] otherwise than in matrimonial [F58or civil partnership] proceedings only if it has jurisdiction under section 9, 10, 12 or 15(2) of this Act.

Textual Amendments

9 Habitual residence.S

Subject to section 11 of this Act, an application for a [F59Part I order] otherwise than in matrimonial [F60or civil partnership] proceedings may be entertained by—

(a)the Court of Session if, on the date of the application, the child concerned is habitually resident in Scotland;

(b)the sheriff if, on the date of the application, the child concerned is habitually resident in the sheriffdom.

Textual Amendments

10 Presence of child.S

Subject to section 11 of this Act, an application for a [F61Part I order] otherwise than in matrimonial [F62or civil partnership] proceedings may be entertained by—

(a)the Court of Session if, on the date of the application, the child concerned—

(i)is present in Scotland; and

(ii)is not habitually resident in any part of the United Kingdom;

(b)the sheriff if, on the date of the application,—

(i)the child is present in Scotland;

(ii)the child is not habitually resident in any part of the United Kingdom; and

(iii)either the pursuer or the defender in the application is habitually resident in the sheriffdom.

Textual Amendments

11 Provisions supplementary to sections 9 and 10.S

(1)Subject to subsection (2) below, the jurisdiction of the court to entertain an application for a [F63Part I order] with respect to a child by virtue of section 9, 10 or 15(2) of this Act is excluded if, on the date of the application, matrimonial [F64or civil partnership] proceedings are continuing in a court in any part of the United Kingdom in respect of the marriage [F65or civil partnership] of the parents of the child.

(2)Subsection (1) above shall not apply in relation to an application for a [F63Part I order] if the court in which the matrimonial [F66or civil partnership] proceedings are continuing has made one of the following orders, that is to say—

(a)an order under section [F672A(4)], 13(6) or [F6819A(4)] of this Act (not being an order made by virtue of section 13(6)(a)(ii)); or

(b)an order under section 5(2), 14(2) or 22(2) of this Act which is recorded as made for the purpose of enabling [F69Part I proceedings with respect to] the child concerned to be taken in Scotland or, as the case may be, in another court in Scotland,

and that order is in force.

Textual Amendments

F68Words in s. 11(2)(a) substituted (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/756, art. 12(5)(d); S.R. 1996/297, art.3

12 Emergency jurisdiction.S

Notwithstanding that any other court, whether within or outside Scotland, has jurisdiction to entertain an application for a [F70Part I order], the Court of Session or the sheriff shall have jurisdiction to entertain such an application if—

(a)the child concerned is present in Scotland or, as the case may be, in the sheriffdom on the date of the application; and

(b)the Court of Session or sheriff considers that, for the protection of the child, it is necessary to make such an order immediately.

Textual Amendments

13 Jurisdiction ancillary to matrimonial proceedings.S

(1)The jurisdiction of a court in Scotland to entertain an application for a [F71Part I order] in matrimonial [F72or civil partnership] proceedings shall be modified by the following provisions of this section.

[F73(2)A court in Scotland shall not have jurisdiction–

(a)after the dismissal of matrimonial proceedings or after decree of absolvitor is granted therein; or

(b)after the dismissal of civil partnership proceedings,

to entertain an application for a Part 1 order in those proceedings unless the application therefor was made on or before such dismissal or the granting of the decree of absolvitor.]

(3)Where, after a decree of separation has been granted, an application is made in the separation process for a [F71Part I order], a court in Scotland shall not have jurisdiction to entertain that application if, on the date of the application, proceedings for divorce or nullity of marriage [F74or proceedings for dissolution or nullity of civil partnership] in respect of the marriage [F75or civil partnership] concerned are continuing in another court in the United Kingdom.

(4)A court in Scotland shall not have jurisdiction to entertain an application for the variation of a [F71Part I order] made [F76in matrimonial [F77or civil partnership] proceedings where the court has refused to grant the principal remedy sought in the proceedings] if, on the date of the application, matrimonial [F77or civil partnership] proceedings in respect of the marriage [F78or civil partnership] concerned are continuing in another court in the United Kingdom.

(5)Subsections (3) and (4) above shall not apply if the court in which the other proceedings there referred to are continuing has made—

(a)an order under section [F792A(4)] or [F8019A(4)] of this Act or under subsection (6) below (not being an order made by virtue of paragraph (a)(ii) of that subsection), or

(b)an order under section 5(2), 14(2) or 22(2) of this Act which is recorded as made for the purpose of enabling [F81Part I proceedings with respect to] the child concerned to be taken in Scotland or, as the case may be, in another court in Scotland,

and that order is in force.

(6)A court in Scotland which has jurisdiction in matrimonial [F82or civil partnership] proceedings to entertain an application for a [F71Part I order] with respect to a child may make an order declining such jurisdiction if—

(a)it appears to the court with respect to that child that—

(i)but for section 11(1) of this Act, another court in Scotland would have jurisdiction to entertain an application for a [F71Part I order], or

(ii)but for section 3(2), 6(3), 20(2) or 23(3) of this Act, a court in another part of the United Kingdom would have jurisdiction to make a [F71Part I order] or an order varying a [F71Part I order]; and

(b)the court considers that it would be more appropriate for [F83Part I matters relating to] that child to be determined in that other court or part.

(7)The court may recall an order made under subsection (6) above.

Textual Amendments

F71Words in s. 13(1)-(4)(6)(a)(i)(ii) substituted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108, Sch. 13 para. 62(2)(a) (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

F76Words in s. 13(4) substituted (1.11.1996) by 1995 c. 36, s. 105(4), Sch. 4 para. 41(3)(b); S.I. 1996/2203, art. 3(3), Sch.

F80Words in s. 13(5)(a) substituted (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/756, arts. 1(2), 12(5); S.R. 1996/297, art. 3

14 Power of court to refuse application or sist proceedings.S

(1)A court in Scotland which has jurisdiction to entertain an application for a [F84Part I order] may refuse the application in any case where the matter in question has already been determined in other proceedings.

(2)Where, at any stage of the proceedings on an application made to a court in Scotland for a [F84Part I order], it appears to the court—

(a)that proceedings with respect to the matters to which the application relates are continuing outside Scotland or in another court in Scotland; F85...

(b)that it would be more appropriate for those matters to be determined in proceedings outside Scotland or in another court in Scotland and that such proceedings are likely to be taken there, [F86or

(c)that it should exercise its powers under Article 15 of the Council Regulation (transfer to a court better placed to hear the case),]

the court may sist the proceedings on that application [F87or (as the case may be) exercise its powers under Article 15 of the Council Regulation].

Textual Amendments

15 Duration, variation and recall of orders.S

(1)Where, after the making by a court in Scotland of a [F88Part I order] (“the existing order”) with respect to a child,—

(a)a [F88Part I order], or an order varying a [F88Part I order], competently made by another court in any part of the United Kingdom with respect to that child; or

(b)an order [F89relating to the parental responsibilities or parental rights in relation to] that child which is made outside the United Kingdom and recognised in Scotland by virtue of section 26 of this Act [F90or by virtue of the Council Regulation],

comes into force, the existing order shall cease to have effect so far as it makes provision for any matter for which the same or different provision is made by the order of the other court in the United Kingdom or, as the case may be, the order so recognised.

(2)Subject to sections 11(1) and 13(3) and (4) of this Act, a court in Scotland which has made a [F88Part I order] (“the original order”) may, notwithstanding that it would no longer have jurisdiction to make the original order, make an order varying or recalling the original order; but if the original order has by virtue of subsection (1) above ceased to have effect so far as it makes provision for any matter, the court shall not have power to vary that order under this subsection so as to make provision for that matter.

(3)In subsection (2) above, an order varying an original order means any [F88Part I order] made with respect to the same child as the original order was made.

(4)[F91Where, by virtue of subsection (1) above, a child is to live with a different person], then, if there is in force an order made by a court in Scotland F92. . . providing for the supervision of that child by a local authority, that order shall cease to have effect.

Textual Amendments

F88Words in s. 15(1)(a)(2)(3) substituted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108, Sch. 13 para. 62(2)(a)(with Sch. 14 para. 1(1); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

F89Words in s. 15(1)(b) substituted (1.11.1996) by 1995 c. 36, s. 105(1)(4), Sch. 4 para. 41(4)(a); S.I. 1996/2203, art. 3(3), Sch.

F90Words in s. 15(1)(b) inserted (1.3.2001) by S.S.I. 2001/36, reg. 4(2)

F91Words in s. 15(4) substituted (1.11.1996) by 1995 c. 36, s. 105(1)(4), Sch. 4 para. 41(4)(b); S.I. 1996/2203, art. 3(3), Sch.

F92Words in s. 15(4) repealed (S.) (1.11.1996) by 1995 c. 36, s. 105(1)(5), Sch. 5; S.I. 1996/2203, art. 3(3), Sch.

16 Tutory and curatory.S

(1)Subject to subsections (2) and (3) below, an application made after the commencement of this Part for an order relating to the [F93guardianship]of a [F93child] may be entertained by—

(a)the Court of Session if, on the date of the application, the pupil or minor is habitually resident in Scotland,

(b)the sheriff if, on the date of the application, the pupil or minor is habitually resident in the sheriffdom.

(2)Subsection (1) above shall not apply to an application for the appointment or removal of a [F94judicial factor] or of a curator bonis or any application made by such factor or curator.

(3)Subsection (1) above is without prejudice to any other ground of jurisdiction on which the Court of Session or the sheriff may entertain an application mentioned therein.

(4)Provision may be made by act of sederunt prescribing, in relation to orders relating to the [F93guardianship] of a [F93child], what constitutes an application for the purposes of this Chapter.

Textual Amendments

17 Orders for delivery of child.S

(1)F95. . ., an application by one parent of a child for an order for the delivery of the child from the other parent, where the order is not sought to implement a [F96Part I order], may be entertained by the Court of Session or a sheriff if, but only if, the Court of Session or, as the case may be, the sheriff would have jurisdiction under this Chapter to make a [F96Part I order] with respect to the child concerned.

F97(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)Subsection (1) above shall apply to an application by one party to a marriage for an order for the delivery of the child concerned from the other party where the child [F98, although not a child of both parties to the marriage, is a child of the family of those parties] as it applies to an application by one parent of a child for an order for the delivery of the child from the other parent.

[F99(4)In subsection (3) above, “child of the family” means any child who has been treated by both parties as a child of their family, except a child who has been placed with those parties as foster parents by a local authority or a voluntary organisation.]

Textual Amendments

F95Words in s. 17(1) repealed (S.)(1.11.1996) by 1995 c. 36, s. 105(1)(5), Sch. 5; S.I. 1996/2203, art. 3(3), Sch.

F97S. 17(2) repealed (S.)(1.11.1996) by 1995 c. 36, s. 105(5), Sch. 5; S.I. 1996/2203, art. 3(3), Sch.

F98Words in s. 17(3) substituted (1.11.1996) by 1995 c. 36, s. 105(1)(4), Sch. 4, para. 41(5)(a); S.I. 1996/2203, art. 3(3), Sch.

[F10017A.The provisions of this Chapter are subject to Sections 2 and 3 of Chapter II of the Council Regulation.]

Textual Amendments

18 Interpretation of Chapter III.S

(1)In this Chapter—

(2)In this Chapter, “the date of the application” means, where two or more applications are pending, the date of the first of those applications; and, for the purposes of this subsection, an application is pending until a [F102Part I order] or, in the case of an application mentioned in section 16(1) of this Act, an order relating to the [F103guardianship of a child], has been granted in pursuance of the application or the court has refused to grant such an order.

Textual Amendments

Chapter IVN.I. Jurisdiction of Courts in Northern Ireland

[F104[F10519 Jurisdiction: general.N.I.

(1)A court in Northern Ireland shall not make a section 1(1)(c) order with respect to a child unless—

(a)it has jurisdiction under the Council Regulation, or

(b)the Council Regulation does not apply but—

(i)the question of making the order arises in or in connection with matrimonial proceedings [F106or civil partnership proceedings] and the condition in section 19A of this Act is satisfied, or

(ii)the condition in section 20 of this Act is satisfied.]

[F107(3)A court in Northern Ireland shall not make a section 1(1)(e) order unless—

(a)it has jurisdiction under the Council Regulation, or

(b)the Council Regulation does not apply but—

(i)the condition in section 20 of this Act is satisfied, or

(ii)the child concerned is present in Northern Ireland on the relevant date and the court considers that the immediate exercise of its powers is necessary for his protection.]]

Textual Amendments

F104S. 19, 19A substituted for s. 19 (N.I.) (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/755 (N.I. 2), art. 185(1), Sch. 9 para. 124; S.R. 1996/297, art. 2

F10919A Jurisdiction in or in connection with matrimonial proceedings [F108or civil partnership proceedings] .N.I.

(1)The condition referred to in section 19(1) of this Act is that the F110... proceedings are proceedings in respect of the marriage [F111or civil partnership] of the parents of the child concerned and—

(a)the proceedings—

(i)are proceedings for divorce or nullity of marriage [F112, or dissolution or annulment of a civil partnership], and

(ii)are continuing;

(b)the proceedings—

(i)are proceedings for judicial separation [F113or legal separation of civil partners],

(ii)are continuing,

and the jurisdiction of the court is not excluded by subsection (2) below; or

(c)the proceedings have been dismissed after the beginning of the trial but—

(i)the section 1(1)(c) order is being made forthwith, or

(ii)the application for the order was made on or before the dismissal.

For the purposes of subsection (1)(b) above, the jurisdiction of the court is excluded if, after the grant of a decree of judicial separation, on the relevant date, proceedings for divorce or nullity in respect of the marriage are continuing in England and Wales or Scotland.

[F114(2)For the purposes of subsection (1)(b) above, the jurisdiction of the court is excluded if—

(a)after the grant of a decree of judicial separation, on the relevant date, proceedings for divorce or nullity in respect of the marriage, or

(b)after the making of a separation order, on the relevant date, proceedings for dissolution or annulment in respect of the civil partnership,

are continuing in England and Wales or Scotland.]

(3)Subsection (2) above shall not apply if the court in which the other proceedings there referred to are continuing has made—

(a)an order under section 2A(4) or 13(6) of this Act (not being an order made by virtue of section 13(6)(a)(i)), or

(b)an order under section 5(2) or 14(2) of this Act which is recorded as being made for the purpose of enabling Part I proceedings to be taken in Northern Ireland with respect to the child concerned.

(4)Where a court—

(a)has jurisdiction to make a section 1(1)(c) order [F115by virtue of section 19(1)(b)(i) of this Act] , but

(b)considers that it would be more appropriate for Part I matters relating to the child to be determined outside Northern Ireland,

the court may by order direct that, while the order under this subsection is in force, no section 1(1)(c) order shall be made by any court [F116by virtue of section 19(1)(b)(i) of this Act] .

Textual Amendments

F109Ss. 19, 19A substituted for s. 19 (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/755 (N.I. 2), art. 185(1), Sch. 9 para. 124; S.R. 1996/297, art. 2(2)

20 Habitual residence or presence of child.N.I.

(1)The condition referred to in [F117section 19(1)(b)(ii)] of this Act is that on the relevant date the child concerned—

(a)is habitually resident in Northern Ireland, or

(b)is present in Northern Ireland and is not habitually resident in any part of the United Kingdom,

and, in either case, the jurisdiction of the court is not excluded by subsection (2) below.

(2)For the purposes of subsection (1) above. the jurisdiction or the court is excluded if, on the relevant date, [F118matrimonial proceedings] [F119or civil partnership proceedings] are continuing in a court in England and Wales or Scotland in respect of the marriage [F120or civil partnership] of the parents of the child concerned.

(3)Subsection (2) above shall not apply if the court in which the other proceedings there referred to are continuing has made—

(a)an order under section [F1212A(4)] or 13(6) of this Act (not being an order made by virtue of section 13(6)(a)(i)), or

(b)an order under section 5(2) or 14(2) of this Act which is recorded as made for the purpose of enabling [F122Part I proceedings with respect to] the child concerned to be taken in Northern Ireland,

and that order is in force.

F123(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F123(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F123(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F118Words in s. 20(2) substituted (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/755 (N.I. 2), art. 185(1), Sch. 9 para. 125(b); S.R. 1996/297, art. 2(2)

F123S. 20(4)-(6) repealed (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/755 (N.I. 2), art. 185(2), Sch. 10; S.R. 1996/297, art. 2(2)

F12421. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .N.I.

Textual Amendments

22 Power of court to refuse application or stay proceedings.N.I.

(1)A court in Northern Ireland which has jurisdiction to make a [F125Part I order] may refuse an application for the order in any case where the matter in question has already been determined in proceedings outside Northern Ireland.

(2)Where, at any stage of the proceedings on an application made to a court in Northern Ireland for a [F125Part I order], or for the variation of a [F125Part I order], F126..., it appears to the court—

(a)that proceedings with respect to the matters to which the application relates are continuing outside Northern Ireland, or

(b)that it would be more appropriate for those matters to be determined in proceedings to be taken outside Northern Ireland, [F127or

(c)that it should exercise its powers under Article 15 of the Council Regulation (transfer to a court better placed to hear the case),]

the court may stay the proceedings on the application [F128or (as the case may be) exercise its powers under Article 15].

(3)The court may remove a stay granted [F129by virtue of subsection (2)(a) or (b) above] if it appears to the court that there has been unreasonable delay in the taking or prosecution of the other proceedings referred to in that subsection, or that those proceedings are stayed, sisted or concluded.

[F130(3A)The court may remove a stay granted under Article 15 of the Council Regulation only in accordance with that Article.]

(4)Nothing in this section [F131so far as it relates to proceedings not governed by the Council Regulation] shall affect any power exercisable apart from this section to refuse an application or to grant or remove a stay.

Textual Amendments

23 Duration and variation of custody orders.N.I.

(1)If a [F132Part I order] made by a court in England and Wales or Scotland (or a variation of such an order) comes into force with respect to a child at a time when a [F132Part I order] made by a court in Northern Ireland has effect with respect to him, the latter order shall cease to have effect so far as it makes provision for any matter for which the same or different provision is made by (or by the variation of) the order made by the court in England and Wales or Scotland.

(2)Where by virtue of subsection (1) above a [F132Part I order] has ceased to have effect so far as it makes provision for any matter, a court in Northern Ireland shall not have jurisdiction to vary that order so as to make provision for that matter.

[F133(3)A court in Northern Ireland shall not have jurisdiction to vary a Part I order if, on the relevant date, matrimonial proceedings [F134or civil partnership proceedings] are continuing in England and Wales or Scotland in respect of the marriage [F135or civil partnership] of the parents of the child concerned.

[F136(3A)Subsection (3) shall not apply if—

(a)the Part 1 order was made in or in connection with proceedings—

(i)for divorce or nullity in Northern Ireland in respect of the marriage of the parents of the child concerned; or

(ii)for dissolution or annulment in Northern Ireland in respect of the civil partnership of the parents of the child concerned; and

(b)those proceedings are continuing.]

[F136(3B)Subsection (3) shall not apply if—

(a)the Part 1 order was made in or in connection with proceedings—

(i) for judicial separation in Northern Ireland; or

(ii)for a separation order in Northern Ireland; and

(b)those proceedings are continuing; and

(c)as the case may be, the decree of judicial separation has not yet been granted or the separation order has not yet been made.]]

(4)Subsection (3) above shall not apply if the court in which the proceedings there referred to are continuing has made—

(a)an order under section [F1372A(4)] or 13(6) of this Act (not being an order made by virtue of section 13(6)(a)(i)), or

(b)an order under section 5(2) or 14(2) of this Act which is recorded as made for the purpose of enabling [F138Part I proceedings with respect to] the child concerned to be taken in Northern Ireland,

and that order is in force.

(5)Subsection (3) above shall not apply in the case of a [F139variation of a section 1(1)(e) order if the child concerned] is present in Northern Ireland on the relevant date and the court considers that the immediate exercise of its powers is necessary for his protection.

[F140(6)Subsection (7) below applies where a Part I order which is—

(a)a residence order (within the meaning of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995) in favour of a person with respect to a child,

(b)an order made in the exercise of the High Court’s inherent jurisdiction with respect to children by virtue of which a person has care of a child, or

(c)an order—

(i)of a kind mentioned in section 1(3)(a) of this Act,

(ii)under which a person is entitled to the actual possession of a child,

ceases to have effect in relation to that person by virtue of subsection (1) above.

(7)Where this subsection applies, any family assistance order made under Article 16 of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 with respect to the child shall also cease to have effect.

(8)For the purposes of subsection (7) above the reference to a family assistance order under Article 16 of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 shall be deemed to include a reference to an order for the supervision of a child made under—

(a)Article 47 of the Matrimonial Causes (Northern Ireland) Order 1978, or

(b)Article 11 of the Domestic Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1980;

but this subsection shall cease to have effect once all such orders for the supervision of children have ceased to have effect in accordance with Schedule 8 to the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.]

Textual Amendments

F132Words in s. 23(1)-(3)(5)-(6) substituted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108, Sch. 13 para. 62(2)(a) (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

F133S. 23(3)(3A)(3B) substituted for s. 23(3) (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/755 (N.I. 2), art. 185(1), Sch. 9 para. 126(2); S.R. 1996/297, art. 2(2)

F139Words in s. 23(5) substituted (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/755 (N.I. 2), art. 185(1), Sch. 9 para. 126(3); S.R. 1996/297, art. 2(2)

F140S. 23(6)-(8) substituted for s. 23(6)(7) (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/755 (N.I. 2), art. 185(1), Sch. 9 para. 126(4); S.R. 1996/297, art. 2(2)

[F14124 Interpretation of Chapter IV.N.I.

In this Chapter—

(a)“child” means a person who has not attained the age of eighteen;

[F142(aa)“civil partnership proceedings” means proceedings for the dissolution or annulment of a civil partnership or for legal separation of the civil partners;]

(b)“matrimonial proceedings” means proceedings for divorce, nullity of marriage or judicial separation;

(c)“the relevant date” means, in relation to the making or variation of an order—

(i)where an application is made for an order to be made or varied, the date of the application (or first application, if two or more are determined together), and

(ii)where no such application is made, the date on which the court is considering whether to make or, as the case may be, vary the order; and

(d)“section 1(1)(c) order” and “section 1(1)(e) order” mean orders falling within section 1(1)(c) and (e) of this Act respectively.]

Textual Amendments

Chapter VU.K. Recognition and Enforcement

25 Recognition of custody orders: general.U.K.

(1)Where a [F143Part I order] made by a court in any part of the United Kingdom is in force with respect to a child who has not attained the age of sixteen, then, subject to subsection (2) below, the order shall be recognised in any other part of the United Kingdom as having the same effect in that other part as if it had been made by the appropriate court in that other part and as if that court had had jurisdiction to make it.

(2)Where a [F143Part I order] includes provision as to the means by which rights conferred by the order are to be enforced, subsection (1) above shall not apply to that provision.

(3)A court in a part of the United Kingdom in which a [F143Part I order] is recognised in accordance with subsection (1) above shall not enforce the order unless it has been registered in that part of the United Kingdom under section 27 of this Act and proceedings for enforcement are taken in accordance with section 29 of this Act.

Textual Amendments

[F14426 Recognition: special Scottish rule.S

F145(1)An order relating to parental responsibilities or parental rights in relation to a child which is made outside the United Kingdom shall be recognised in Scotland if the order was made in the country where the child was habitually resident.]

[F146(2)Subsection (1) above shall not apply to an order as regards which provision as to recognition is made by [F147Articles 21 to 27, 41(1) and 42(1)] of the Council Regulation.]

Textual Amendments

F145S. 26(1) renumbered (1.3.2001) by virtue of S.S.I. 2001/36, reg. 4(3)(a)

F146S. 26(2) inserted (1.3.2001) by S.S.I. 2001/36, reg. 4(3)(b)

27 Registration.U.K.

(1)Any person on whom any rights are conferred by a [F148Part I order] may apply to the court which made it for the order to be registered in another part of the United Kingdom under this section.

(2)An application under this section shall be made in the prescribed manner and shall contain the prescribed information and be accompanied by such documents as may be prescribed.

(3)On receiving an application under this section the court which made the [F148Part I order] shall, unless it appears to the court that the order is no longer in force, cause the following documents to be sent to the appropriate court in the part of the United Kingdom specified in the application, namely—

(a)a certified copy of the order, and

(b)where the order has been varied, prescribed particulars of any variation which is in force, and

(c)a copy of the application and of any accompanying documents.

(4)Where the prescribed officer of the appropriate court receives a certified copy of a [F148Part I order] under subsection (3) above, he shall forthwith cause the order, together with particulars of any variation, to be registered in that court in the prescribed manner.

(5)An order shall not be registered under this section in respect of a child who has attained the age of sixteen, and the registration of an order in respect of a child who has not attained the age of sixteen shall cease to have effect on the attainment by the child of that age.

Textual Amendments

28 Cancellation and variation of registration.U.K.

(1)A court which revokes, recalls or varies an order registered under section 27 of this Act shall cause notice of the revocation, recall or variation to be given in the prescribed manner to the prescribed officer of the court in which it is registered and, on receiving the notice, the prescribed officer—

(a)in the case of the revocation or recall of the order, shall cancel the registration, and

(b)in the case of the variation of the order, shall cause particulars of the variation to be registered in the prescribed manner.

(2)Where—

(a)an order registered under section 27 of this Act ceases (in whole or in part) to have effect in the part of the United Kingdom in which it was made, otherwise than because of its revocation, recall or variation, or

(b)an order registered under section 27 of this Act in Scotland ceases (in whole or in part) to have effect there as a result of the making of an order in proceedings outside the United Kingdom,

the court in which the order is registered may, of its own motion or on the application of any person who appears to the court to have an interest in the matter, cancel the registration (or, if the order has ceased to have effect in part, cancel the registration so far as it relates to the provisions which have ceased to have effect).

29 Enforcement.U.K.

(1)Where a [F149Part I order] has been registered under section 27 of this Act, the court in which it is registered shall have the same powers for the purpose of enforcing the order [F150(including, where an order with respect to contact is registered in England and Wales, the powers under section 11O of the Children Act 1989)] as it would have if it had itself made the order and had jurisdiction to make it; and proceedings for or with respect to enforcement may be taken accordingly.

(2)Where an application has been made to any court for the enforcement of an order registered in that court under section 27 of this Act, the court may, at any time before the application is determined, give such interim directions as it thinks fit for the purpose of securing the welfare of the child concerned or of preventing changes in the circumstances relevant to the determination of the application.

(3)The references in subsection (1) above to a [F149Part I order] do not include references to any provision of the order as to the means by which rights conferred by the order are to be enforced.

Textual Amendments

30 Staying or sisting of enforcement proceedings.U.K.

(1)Where in accordance with section 29 of this Act proceedings are taken in any court for the enforcement of an order registered in that court, any person who appears to the court to have an interest in the matter may apply for the proceedings to be stayed or sisted on the ground that he has taken or intends to take other proceedings (in the United Kingdom or elsewhere) as a result of which the order may cease to have effect, or may have a different effect, in the part of the United Kingdom in which it is registered.

[F151(1A)No application may be made under subsection (1) for proceedings to be stayed or sisted if the proceedings are proceedings on an application for an order under section 11O(2) of the Children Act 1989.]

(2)If after considering an application under subsection (1) above the court considers that the proceedings for enforcement should be stayed or sisted in order that other proceedings may be taken or concluded, it shall stay or sist the proceedings for enforcement accordingly.

(3)The court may remove a stay or recall a sist granted in accordance with subsection (2) above if it appears to the court—

(a)that there has been unreasonable delay in the taking or prosecution of the other proceedings referred to in that subsection, or

(b)that those other proceedings are concluded and that the registered order, or a relevant part of it, is still in force.

(4)Nothing in this section shall affect any power exercisable apart from this section to grant, remove or recall a stay or sist.

Textual Amendments

31 Dismissal of enforcement proceedings.U.K.

(1)Where in accordance with section 29 of this Act proceedings are taken in any court for the enforcement of an order registered in that court, any person who appears to the court to have an interest in the matter may apply for those proceedings to be dismissed on the ground that the order has (in whole or in part) ceased to have effect in the part of the United Kingdom in which it was made.

[F152(1A)No application may be made under subsection (1) for proceedings to be dismissed if the proceedings are proceedings on an application for an order under section 11O(2) of the Children Act 1989.]

(2)Where in accordance with section 29 of this Act proceedings are taken in the Court of Session for the enforcement of an order registered in that court, any person who appears to the court to have an interest in the matter may apply for those proceedings to be dismissed on the ground that the order has (in whole or in part) ceased to have effect in Scotland as a result of the making of an order in proceedings outside the United Kingdom.

(3)If, after considering an application under subsection (1) or (2) above, the court is satisfied that the registered order has ceased to have effect, it shall dismiss the proceedings for enforcement (or, if it is satisfied that the order has ceased to have effect in part, it shall dismiss the proceedings so far as they relate to the enforcement of provisions which have ceased to have effect).

Textual Amendments

32 Interpretation of Chapter V.U.K.

(1)In this Chapter—

(a)could have been made notwithstanding the provisions of this Part;

(b)would have been a [F153Part I order] for the purposes of this Part; and

(c)would not have ceased to have effect by virtue of section 6, 15 or 23 of this Act.

(2)In the application of this Chapter to Scotland, “ [F153Part I order]” also includes (except where the context otherwise requires) any order within section 1(3) of this Act which, on the assumptions mentioned in subsection (3) below—

(a)would have been a [F153Part I order] for the purposes of this Part; and

(b)would not have ceased to have effect by virtue of section 6 or 23 of this Act,

and which, but for the provisions of this Part, would be recognised in Scotland under any rule of law.

(3)The said assumptions are—

(a)that this Part had been in force at all material times; and

(b)that any reference in section 1 of this Act to any enactment included a reference to any corresponding enactment previously in force.

Textual Amendments

Chapter VIU.K. Miscellaneous and Supplemental

33 Power to order disclosure of child’s whereabouts.U.K.

(1)Where in proceedings for or relating to a [F154Part I order] in respect of a child there is not available to the court adequate information as to where the child is, the court may order any person who it has reason to believe may have relevant information to disclose it to the court.

(2)A person shall not be excused from complying with an order under subsection (1) above by reason that to do so may incriminate him or his spouse [F155or civil partner] of an offence; but a statement or admission made in compliance with such an order shall not be admissible in evidence against either of them in proceedings for any offence other than perjury.

(3)A court in Scotland before which proceedings are pending for the enforcement of an order [F156relating to parental responsibilities or parental rights in relation to] a child made outside the United Kingdom which is recognised in Scotland shall have the same powers as it would have under subsection (1) above if the order were its own.

Textual Amendments

F156Words in s. 33(3) substituted (1.11.1996) by 1995 c. 36, s. 105(1)(4), Sch. 4 para. 41(7); S.I. 1996/2203, art. 3(3), Sch.

34 Power to order recovery of child.E+W+N.I.

(1)Where—

(a)a person is required by a [F157Part I order], or an order for the enforcement of a [F157Part I order], to give up a child to another person (“the person concerned”), and

(b)the court which made the order imposing the requirement is satisfied that the child has not been given up in accordance with the order,

the court may make an order authorising an officer of the court or a constable to take charge of the child and deliver him to the person concerned.

(2)The authority conferred by subsection (1) above includes authority—

(a)to enter and search any premises where the person acting in pursuance of the order has reason to believe the child may be found, and

(b)to use such force as may be necessary to give effect to the purpose of the order.

(3)Where by virtue of—

[F158(a)section 14 of the Children Act 1989]

[F159(b)Article 14 (enforcement of residence orders) of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995,]

a [F157Part I order] (or a provision of a [F157Part I order]) may be enforced as if it were an order requiring a person to give up a child to another person, subsection (1) above shall apply as if the [F157Part I order] had included such a requirement.

(4)This section is without prejudice to any power conferred on a court by or under any other enactment or rule of law.

Textual Amendments

35 Powers to restrict removal of child from jurisdiction.U.K.

F160(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F161(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)A court in Scotland—

(a)at any time after the commencement of proceedings in connection with which the court would have jurisdiction to make a [F162Part I order], or

(b)in any proceedings in which it would be competent for the court to grant an interdict prohibiting the removal of a child from its jurisdiction,

may, on an application by any of the persons mentioned in subsection (4) below, grant interdict or interim interdict prohibiting the removal of the child from the United Kingdom or any part of the United Kingdom, or out of the control of the person in [F163whose care] the child is.

(4)The said persons are—

(a)any party to the proceedings,

(b)the [F164guardian] of the child concerned, and

(c)any other person who has or wishes to obtain the F165. . . care of the child.

(5)In subsection (3) above “the court” means the Court of Session or the sheriff; and for the purposes of subsection (3)(a) above, proceedings shall be held to commence—

(a)in the Court of Session, when a summons is signeted or a petition is presented;

(b)in the sheriff court, when the warrant of citation is signed.

Textual Amendments

36 Effect of orders restricting removal.U.K.

(1)This section applies to any order made by a court in the United Kingdom prohibiting the removal of a child from the United Kingdom or from any specified part of it.

(2)An order to which this section applies shall have effect in each part of the United Kingdom other than the part in which it was made—

(a)as if it had been made by the appropriate court in that other part, and

(b)in the case of an order which has the effect of prohibiting the child’s removal to that other part, as if it had included a prohibition on his further removal to any place except one to which he could be removed consistently with the order.

(3)The references in subsections (1) and (2) above to prohibitions on a child’s removal include references to prohibitions subject to exceptions; and in a case where removal is prohibited except with the consent of the court, nothing in subsection (2) above shall be construed as affecting the identity of the court whose consent is required.

(4)In this section “child” means a person who has not attained the age of sixteen; and this section shall cease to apply to an order relating to a child when he attains the age of sixteen.

37 Surrender of passports.U.K.

(1)Where there is in force an order prohibiting or otherwise restricting the removal of a child from the United Kingdom or from any specified part of it, the court by which the order was in fact made, or by which it is treated under section 36 of this Act as having been made, may require any person to surrender any United Kingdom passport which has been issued to, or contains particulars of, the child.

(2)In this section “United Kingdom passport” means a current passport issued by the Government of the United Kingdom.

38 Automatic restriction on removal of wards of court.E+W+N.I.

(1)The rule of law which (without any order of the court) restricts the removal of a ward of court from the jurisdiction of the court shall, in a case to which this section applies, have effect subject to the modifications in subsection (3) below.

(2)This section applies in relation to a ward of court if—

(a)proceedings for divorce, nullity or judicial separation in respect of the marriage of his parents are continuing in a court in another part of the United Kingdom (that is to say, in a part of the United Kingdom outside the jurisdiction of the court of which he is a ward), or

[F166(aa)proceedings for dissolution or annulment or legal separation in respect of the civil partnership of his parents are continuing in a court in another part of the United Kingdom (that is to say, in a part of the United Kingdom outside the jurisdiction of the court of which he is a ward), or]

(b)he is habitually resident in another part of the United Kingdom,

except where that other part is Scotland and he has attained the age of sixteen.

(3)Where this section applies, the rule referred to in subsection (1) above shall not prevent—

(a)the removal of the ward of court, without the consent of any court, to the other part of the United Kingdom mentioned in subsection (2) above, or

(b)his removal to any other place with the consent of either the appropriate court in that other part of the United Kingdom or the court mentioned in subsection [F167(2)(a) or (aa) above] .

Textual Amendments

39 Duty to furnish particulars of other proceedings.U.K.

Parties to proceedings for or relating to a [F168Part I order] shall, to such extent and in such manner as may be prescribed, give particulars of other proceedings known to them which relate to the child concerned (including proceedings instituted abroad and proceedings which are no longer continuing).

Textual Amendments

40 Interpretation of Chapter VI.U.K.

(1)In this Chapter—

(2)In the application of this Chapter to Scotland, “ [F169Part I order]” also includes (except where the context otherwise requires) any such order as is mentioned in section 32(2) of this Act.

Textual Amendments

41 Habitual residence after removal without consent, etc.U.K.

(1)Where a child who—

(a)has not attained the age of sixteen, and

(b)is habitually resident in a part of the United Kingdom,

becomes habitually resident outside that part of the United Kingdom in consequence of circumstances of the kind specified in subsection (2) below, he shall be treated for the purposes of this Part as continuing to be habitually resident in that part of the United Kingdom for the period of one year beginning with the date on which those circumstances arise.

(2)The circumstances referred to in subsection (1) above exist where the child is removed from or retained outside, or himself leaves or remains outside, the part of the United Kingdom in which he was habitually resident before his change of residence—

(a)without the agreement of the person or all the persons having, under the law of that part of the United Kingdom, the right to determine where he is to reside, or

(b)in contravention of an order made by a court in any part of the United Kingdom.

(3)A child shall cease to be treated by virtue of subsection (1) above as habitually resident in a part of the United Kingdom if, during the period there mentioned—

(a)he attains the age of sixteen, or

(b)he becomes habitually resident outside that part of the United Kingdom with the agreement of the person or persons mentioned in subsection (2)(a) above and not in contravention of an order made by a court in any part of the United Kingdom.

42 General interpretation of Part I.U.K.

(1)In this Part—

( 2)For the purposes of this Part proceedings in England and Wales or in Northern Ireland for divorce, nullity or judicial separation in respect of the marriage of the parents of a child shall, unless they have been dismissed, be treated as continuing until the child concerned attains the age of eighteen (whether or not a decree has been granted and whether or not, in the case of a decree of divorce or nullity of marriage, that decree has been made absolute).

[F172(2A)For the purposes of this Part proceedings in England and Wales or in Northern Ireland for dissolution, annulment or legal separation in respect of the civil partnership of the parents of the child shall, unless they have been dismissed, be treated as continuing until the child concerned attains the age of eighteen (whether or not a dissolution, nullity or separation order has been made and whether or not, in the case of a dissolution or nullity order, that order has been made final).]

(3)For the purposes of this Part, matrimonial proceedings [F173or civil partnership proceedings] in a court in Scotland which has jurisdiction in those proceedings to make a [F174Part I order] with respect to a child shall, unless they have been dismissed or decree of absolvitor has been granted therein, be treated as continuing until the child concerned attains the age of sixteen.

(4)Any reference in this Part to proceedings in respect of the marriage [F175or civil partnership] of the parents of a child shall, in relation to a child who, although not a child of both parties to the marriage [F175or civil partnership] , is a child of the family of those parties, be construed as a reference to proceedings in respect of that marriage [F175or civil partnership]; and for this purpose “child of the family”—

(a)if the proceedings are in England and Wales, means any child who has been treated by both parties as a child of their family, except a child who [F176is placed with those parties as foster parents] by a local authority or a voluntary organisation;

(b)if the proceedings are in Scotland, means any child [F177who has been treated by both parties as a child of their family, except a child who has been placed with those parties as foster parents by a local authority or a voluntary organisation;]

(c)if the proceedings are in Northern Ireland, means any child who has been treated by both parties as a child of their family, except a child who [F178is placed with those parties as foster parents by an authority within the meaning of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995] or a voluntary organisation.

[F179(4A)Any reference in this Part to proceedings in respect of the civil partnership of the parents of a child shall, in relation to a child who, although not a child of the civil partners, is a child of the family of the civil partners, be construed as a reference to proceedings in respect of that civil partnership; and for this purpose “child of the family” has the meaning given in paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (4) (but substituting references to the civil partners for references to the parties to the marriage).]

(5)References in this Part to custody orders include (except where the context otherwise requires) references to custody orders as varied.

(6)For the purposes of this Part each of the following orders shall be treated as varying the [F174Part I order] to which it relates—

(a)an order which provides for a person [F180to be allowed contact with or] to be given access to a child who is the subject of a [F174Part I order], or which makes provision for the education of such a child,

F181(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F182(7)In this Part—

(a)references to Part I proceedings in respect of a child are references to any proceedings for a Part I order or an order corresponding to a Part I order and include, in relation to proceedings outside the United Kingdom, references to proceedings before a tribunal or other authority having power under the law having effect there to determine Part I matters; and

(b)references to Part I matters are references to matters that might be determined by a Part I order or an order corresponding to a Part I order.]

Textual Amendments

F170S. 42(1): definition of "parental responsibilities" inserted (1.11.1996) by 1995 c. 36, s. 105(4), Sch. 4 para. 41(9)(a); S.I. 1996/2203, art. 3(3), Sch.

F177Words in s. 42(4)(b) substituted (1.11.1996) by 1995 c. 36, s. 105(4), Sch. 4 para. 41(9)(b); S.I. 1996/2203, art. 3(3), Sch

F178Words in s. 42(4)(c) substituted (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/756, art. 12(4); S.R. 1996/297, para. 3

F181S. 42(6)(b)-(d) and words repealed (4.11.1996) by S.I. 1995/756, art. 15, Sch.; S.R. 1996/297, para. 3

43 Application of Part I to dependent territories.U.K.

(1)Her Majesty may by Order in Council make provision corresponding to or applying any of the foregoing provisions of this Part, with such modifications as appear to Her Majesty to be appropriate, for the purpose of regulating—

(a)in any dependent territory;

(b)as between any dependent territory and any part of the United Kingdom; or

(c)as between any dependent territory and any other such territory,

the jurisdiction of courts to make custody orders, or orders corresponding to custody orders, and the recognition and enforcement of such orders.

(2)In subsection (1) above “dependent territory” means any of the following territories—

(a)the Isle of Man,

(b)any of the Channel Islands, and

(c)any colony.

(3)An Order in Council under subsection (1) above may contain such consequential, incidental and supplementary provisions as appear to Her Majesty to be necessary or expedient.

(4)An Order in Council under subsection (1)(b) above which makes provision affecting the law of any part of the United Kingdom shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Subordinate Legislation Made

P1S. 43: s. 43 power exercised by S.I. 1991/1723.