- Latest available (Revised)
- Point in Time (27/04/2017)
- Original (As enacted)
Point in time view as at 27/04/2017.
Children Act 1989, Part I is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 14 August 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Changes and effects yet to be applied by the editorial team are only applicable when viewing the latest version or prospective version of legislation. They are therefore not accessible when viewing legislation as at a specific point in time. To view the ‘Changes to Legislation’ information for this provision return to the latest version view using the options provided in the ‘What Version’ box above.
(1)When a court determines any question with respect to—
(a)the upbringing of a child; or
(b)the administration of a child’s property or the application of any income arising from it,
the child’s welfare shall be the court’s paramount consideration.
(2)In any proceedings in which any question with respect to the upbringing of a child arises, the court shall have regard to the general principle that any delay in determining the question is likely to prejudice the welfare of the child.
[F1(2A)A court, in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (4)(a) or (7), is as respects each parent within subsection (6)(a) to presume, unless the contrary is shown, that involvement of that parent in the life of the child concerned will further the child's welfare.
(2B)In subsection (2A) “involvement” means involvement of some kind, either direct or indirect, but not any particular division of a child's time.]
(3)In the circumstances mentioned in subsection (4), a court shall have regard in particular to—
(a)the ascertainable wishes and feelings of the child concerned (considered in the light of his age and understanding);
(b)his physical, emotional and educational needs;
(c)the likely effect on him of any change in his circumstances;
(d)his age, sex, background and any characteristics of his which the court considers relevant;
(e)any harm which he has suffered or is at risk of suffering;
(f)how capable each of his parents, and any other person in relation to whom the court considers the question to be relevant, is of meeting his needs;
(g)the range of powers available to the court under this Act in the proceedings in question.
(4)The circumstances are that—
(a)the court is considering whether to make, vary or discharge a section 8 order, and the making, variation or discharge of the order is opposed by any party to the proceedings; or
(b)the court is considering whether to make, vary or discharge [F2a special guardianship order or] an order under Part IV.
(5)Where a court is considering whether or not to make one or more orders under this Act with respect to a child, it shall not make the order or any of the orders unless it considers that doing so would be better for the child than making no order at all.
[F3(6)In subsection (2A) “parent” means parent of the child concerned; and, for the purposes of that subsection, a parent of the child concerned—
(a)is within this paragraph if that parent can be involved in the child's life in a way that does not put the child at risk of suffering harm; and
(b)is to be treated as being within paragraph (a) unless there is some evidence before the court in the particular proceedings to suggest that involvement of that parent in the child's life would put the child at risk of suffering harm whatever the form of the involvement.
(7)The circumstances referred to are that the court is considering whether to make an order under section 4(1)(c) or (2A) or 4ZA(1)(c) or (5) (parental responsibility of parent other than mother).]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 1(2A)(2B) inserted (22.10.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), ss. 11(2), 139(6); S.I. 2014/2749, art. 3 (with art. 4)
F2Words in s. 1(4)(b) inserted (30.12.2005) by 2002 c. 38, ss. 115(3), 148 (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2005/2213, art. 2(k)
F3S. 1(6)(7) inserted (22.10.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), ss. 11(3), 139(6); S.I. 2014/2749, art. 3 (with art. 4)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 1(2)(3)(a)-(f) applied with modifications (14. 10. 1991) by S.I. 1991/1395, r. 11(1) (as amended (8.12.2008) by The Family Proceedings Courts (Children Act 1989) (Amendment) Rules 2008, (S.I. 2008/2858), {rule 7})
Commencement Information
I1S. 1 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
(1)Where a child’s father and mother were married to each other at the time of his birth, they shall each have parental responsibility for the child.
[F4(1A)Where a child—
(a)has a parent by virtue of section 42 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008; or
(b)has a parent by virtue of section 43 of that Act and is a person to whom section 1(3) of the Family Law Reform Act 1987 applies,
the child's mother and the other parent shall each have parental responsibility for the child.
(2)Where a child’s father and mother were not married to each other at the time of his birth—
(a)the mother shall have parental responsibility for the child;
(b)the father [F5shall have parental responsibility for the child if he has acquired it (and has not ceased to have it)] in accordance with the provisions of this Act.]
[F6(2A)Where a child has a parent by virtue of section 43 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 and is not a person to whom section 1(3) of the Family Law Reform Act 1987 applies—
(a)the mother shall have parental responsibility for the child;
(b)the other parent shall have parental responsibility for the child if she has acquired it (and has not ceased to have it) in accordance with the provisions of this Act.]
(3)References in this Act to a child whose father and mother were, or (as the case may be) were not, married to each other at the time of his birth must be read with section 1 of the M1Family Law Reform Act 1987 (which extends their meaning).
(4)The rule of law that a father is the natural guardian of his legitimate child is abolished.
(5)More than one person may have parental responsibility for the same child at the same time.
(6)A person who has parental responsibility for a child at any time shall not cease to have that responsibility solely because some other person subsequently acquires parental responsibility for the child.
(7)Where more than one person has parental responsibility for a child, each of them may act alone and without the other (or others) in meeting that responsibility; but nothing in this Part shall be taken to affect the operation of any enactment which requires the consent of more than one person in a matter affecting the child.
(8)The fact that a person has parental responsibility for a child shall not entitle him to act in any way which would be incompatible with any order made with respect to the child under this Act.
(9)A person who has parental responsibility for a child may not surrender or transfer any part of that responsibility to another but may arrange for some or all of it to be met by one or more persons acting on his behalf.
(10)The person with whom any such arrangement is made may himself be a person who already has parental responsibility for the child concerned.
(11)The making of any such arrangement shall not affect any liability of the person making it which may arise from any failure to meet any part of his parental responsibility for the child concerned.
Textual Amendments
F4S. 2(1A) inserted (6.4.2009) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), ss. 56, 68, Sch. 6 para. 26(2); S.I. 2009/479, art. 6(1)(e)
F5Words in s. 2(2) substituted (1.12.2003) by 2002 c. 38, ss. 111(5), 148 (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2003/3079, art. 2(2)(a)
F6S. 2(2A) inserted (6.4.2009) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), ss. 56, 68, Sch. 6 para. 26(3); S.I. 2009/479, art. 6(1)(e)
Commencement Information
I2S. 2 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
Marginal Citations
(1)In this Act “parental responsibility” means all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which by law a parent of a child has in relation to the child and his property.
(2)It also includes the rights, powers and duties which a guardian of the child’s estate (appointed, before the commencement of section 5, to act generally) would have had in relation to the child and his property.
(3)The rights referred to in subsection (2) include, in particular, the right of the guardian to receive or recover in his own name, for the benefit of the child, property of whatever description and wherever situated which the child is entitled to receive or recover.
(4)The fact that a person has, or does not have, parental responsibility for a child shall not affect—
(a)any obligation which he may have in relation to the child (such as a statutory duty to maintain the child); or
(b)any rights which, in the event of the child’s death, he (or any other person) may have in relation to the child’s property.
(5)A person who—
(a)does not have parental responsibility for a particular child; but
(b)has care of the child,
may (subject to the provisions of this Act) do what is reasonable in all the circumstances of the case for the purpose of safeguarding or promoting the child’s welfare.
Commencement Information
I3S. 3 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
(1)Where a child’s father and mother were not married to each other at the time of his birth [F7, the father shall acquire parental responsibility for the child if—
(a)he becomes registered as the child’s father under any of the enactments specified in subsection (1A);
(b)he and the child’s mother make an agreement (a “parental responsibility agreement”) providing for him to have parental responsibility for the child; or
(c)the court, on his application, orders that he shall have parental responsibility for the child.]
[F8(1A)The enactments referred to in subsection (1)(a) are—
(a)paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of section 10(1) and of section 10A(1) of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953;
(b)paragraphs (a), (b)(i) and (c) of section 18(1), and sections 18(2)(b) and 20(1)(a) of the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965; and
(c)sub-paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of Article 14(3) of the Births and Deaths Registration (Northern Ireland) Order 1976.
(1B)The [F9Secretary of State] may by order amend subsection (1A) so as to add further enactments to the list in that subsection.]
(2)No parental responsibility agreement shall have effect for the purposes of this Act unless—
(a)it is made in the form prescribed by regulations made by the Lord Chancellor; and
(b)where regulations are made by the Lord Chancellor prescribing the manner in which such agreements must be recorded, it is recorded in the prescribed manner.
[F10(2A)A person who has acquired parental responsibility under subsection (1) shall cease to have that responsibility only if the court so orders.
(3)The court may make an order under subsection (2A) on the application—
(a)of any person who has parental responsibility for the child; or
(b)with the leave of the court, of the child himself,
subject, in the case of parental responsibility acquired under subsection (1)(c), to section 12(4).]
(4)The court may only grant leave under subsection (3)(b) if it is satisfied that the child has sufficient understanding to make the proposed application.
Textual Amendments
F7Words in s. 4(1) substituted (1.12.2003) by 2002 c. 38, ss. 111(2), 148 (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2003/3079, art. 2(2)(a)
F8S. 4(1A)(1B) inserted (1.12.2003) by 2002 c. 38, ss. 111(3), 148 (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2003/3079, art. 2(2)(a)
F9Words in s. 4(1B) substituted (12.1.2004) by The Transfer of Functions (Children, Young People and Families) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/3191), art. 6, Sch. para. 1
F10S. 4(2A)(3) substituted (1.12.2003) for s. 4(3) by 2002 c. 38, ss. 111(4), 148 (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2003/3079, art. 2(2)(a)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C2S. 4(1B): transfer of functions (12.1.2004) by The Transfer of Functions (Children, Young People and Families) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/3191), arts. 3(a), 4
Commencement Information
I4S. 4 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
(1)Where a child has a parent by virtue of section 43 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 and is not a person to whom section 1(3) of the Family Law Reform Act 1987 applies, that parent shall acquire parental responsibility for the child if—
(a)she becomes registered as a parent of the child under any of the enactments specified in subsection (2);
(b)she and the child's mother make an agreement providing for her to have parental responsibility for the child; or
(c)the court, on her application, orders that she shall have parental responsibility for the child.
(2)The enactments referred to in subsection (1)(a) are—
(a)paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of section 10(1B) and of section 10A(1B) of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953;
(b)paragraphs (a), (b) and (d) of section 18B(1) and sections 18B(3)(a) and 20(1)(a) of the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965; and
(c)sub-paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of Article 14ZA(3) of the Births and Deaths Registration (Northern Ireland) Order 1976.
(3)The Secretary of State may by order amend subsection (2) so as to add further enactments to the list in that subsection.
(4)An agreement under subsection (1)(b) is also a “parental responsibility agreement”, and section 4(2) applies in relation to such an agreement as it applies in relation to parental responsibility agreements under section 4.
(5)A person who has acquired parental responsibility under subsection (1) shall cease to have that responsibility only if the court so orders.
(6)The court may make an order under subsection (5) on the application—
(a)of any person who has parental responsibility for the child; or
(b)with the leave of the court, of the child himself,
subject, in the case of parental responsibility acquired under subsection (1)(c), to section 12(4).
(7)The court may only grant leave under subsection (6)(b) if it is satisfied that the child has sufficient understanding to make the proposed application.]
Textual Amendments
F11S. 4ZA inserted (6.4.2009) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), ss. 56, 68, Sch. 6 para. 27; S.I. 2009/479, art. 6(1)(e)
(1)Where a child’s parent (“parent A”) who has parental responsibility for the child is married to [F13, or a civil partner of,] a person who is not the child’s parent (“the step-parent”)—
(a)parent A or, if the other parent of the child also has parental responsibility for the child, both parents may by agreement with the step-parent provide for the step-parent to have parental responsibility for the child; or
(b)the court may, on the application of the step-parent, order that the step-parent shall have parental responsibility for the child.
(2)An agreement under subsection (1)(a) is also a “parental responsibility agreement”, and section 4(2) applies in relation to such agreements as it applies in relation to parental responsibility agreements under section 4.
(3)A parental responsibility agreement under subsection (1)(a), or an order under subsection (1)(b), may only be brought to an end by an order of the court made on the application—
(a)of any person who has parental responsibility for the child; or
(b)with the leave of the court, of the child himself.
(4)The court may only grant leave under subsection (3)(b) if it is satisfied that the child has sufficient understanding to make the proposed application.]
Textual Amendments
F12S. 4A inserted (30.12.2005) by 2002 c. 38, ss. 112, 148 (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2005/2213, art. 2(k)
F13Words in s. 4A(1) inserted (30.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 75(2); S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(9)
(1)Where an application with respect to a child is made to the court by any individual, the court may by order appoint that individual to be the child’s guardian if—
(a)the child has no parent with parental responsibility for him; or
(b)a [F14parent, guardian or special guardian of the child's was named in a child arrangements order as a person with whom the child was to live and] has died while the order was in force [F15; or
(c)paragraph (b) does not apply, and the child’s only or last surviving special guardian dies.]
(2)The power conferred by subsection (1) may also be exercised in any family proceedings if the court considers that the order should be made even though no application has been made for it.
(3)A parent who has parental responsibility for his child may appoint another individual to be the child’s guardian in the event of his death.
(4)A guardian of a child may appoint another individual to take his place as the child’s guardian in the event of his death [F16; and a special guardian of a child may appoint another individual to be the child’s guardian in the event of his death].
(5)An appointment under subsection (3) or (4) shall not have effect unless it is made in writing, is dated and is signed by the person making the appointment or—
(a)in the case of an appointment made by a will which is not signed by the testator, is signed at the direction of the testator in accordance with the requirements of section 9 of the M2Wills Act 1837; or
(b)in any other case, is signed at the direction of the person making the appointment, in his presence and in the presence of two witnesses who each attest the signature.
(6)A person appointed as a child’s guardian under this section shall have parental responsibility for the child concerned.
(7)Where—
(a)on the death of any person making an appointment under subsection (3) or (4), the child concerned has no parent with parental responsibility for him; or
(b)immediately before the death of any person making such an appointment, a [F17child arrangements order was in force in which the person was named as a person with whom the child was to live or the person][F18was the child’s only (or last surviving) special guardian],
the appointment shall take effect on the death of that person.
(8)Where, on the death of any person making an appointment under subsection (3) or (4)—
(a)the child concerned has a parent with parental responsibility for him; and
(b)subsection (7)(b) does not apply,
the appointment shall take effect when the child no longer has a parent who has parental responsibility for him.
(9)Subsections (1) and (7) do not apply if the [F19child arrangements] order referred to in paragraph (b) of those subsections [F20also named] a surviving parent of the child [F21as a person with whom the child was to live].
(10)Nothing in this section shall be taken to prevent an appointment under subsection (3) or (4) being made by two or more persons acting jointly.
(11)Subject to any provision made by rules of court, no court shall exercise the High Court’s inherent jurisdiction to appoint a guardian of the estate of any child.
(12)Where rules of court are made under subsection (11) they may prescribe the circumstances in which, and conditions subject to which, an appointment of such a guardian may be made.
(13)A guardian of a child may only be appointed in accordance with the provisions of this section.
Textual Amendments
F14Words in s. 5(1)(b) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 2(2); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10)
F15S. 5(1)(c) and preceding word inserted (30.12.2005) by 2002 c. 38, ss. 115(4)(a)(ii), 148 (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2005/2213, art. 2(k)
F16Words in s. 5(4) inserted (30.12.2005) by 2002 c. 38, ss. 115(4)(b), 148 (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2005/3213, art. 2(k)
F17Words in s. 5(7)(b) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 2(3); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10)
F18Words in s. 5(7) inserted (30.12.2005) by 2002 c. 38, ss. 115(4)(c), 148 (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2005/2213, art. 2(k)
F19Words in s. 5(9) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 2(4)(a); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10)
F20Words in s. 5(9) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 2(4)(b); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10)
F21Words in s. 5(9) inserted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 2 para. 2(4)(c); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(f) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10)
Commencement Information
I5S. 5 except s. 5(11)(12) in force at 14.10.1991 by S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2) and s. 5(11)(12) wholly in force 1.2.1992 by S.I. 1991/828, art. 3 as amended by S.I. 1991/1990, art. 2.
Marginal Citations
(1)An appointment under section 5(3) or (4) revokes an earlier such appointment (including one made in an unrevoked will or codicil) made by the same person in respect of the same child, unless it is clear (whether as the result of an express provision in the later appointment or by any necessary implication) that the purpose of the later appointment is to appoint an additional guardian.
(2)An appointment under section 5(3) or (4) (including one made in an unrevoked will or codicil) is revoked if the person who made the appointment revokes it by a written and dated instrument which is signed—
(a)by him; or
(b)at his direction, in his presence and in the presence of two witnesses who each attest the signature.
(3)An appointment under section 5(3) or (4) (other than one made in a will or codicil) is revoked if, with the intention of revoking the appointment, the person who made it—
(a)destroys the instrument by which it was made; or
(b)has some other person destroy that instrument in his presence.
[F22(3A)An appointment under section 5(3) or (4) (including one made in an unrevoked will or codicil) is revoked if the person appointed is the spouse of the person who made the appointment and either—
(a)a decree of a court of civil jurisdiction in England and Wales dissolves or annuls the marriage, or
(b)the marriage is dissolved or annulled and the divorce or annulment is entitled to recognition in England and Wales by virtue of Part II of the Family Law Act 1986,
unless a contrary intention appears by the appointment.]
[F23(3B)An appointment under section 5(3) or (4)(including one made in an unrevoked will or codicil) is revoked if the person appointed is the civil partner of the person who made the appointment and either—
(a)an order of a court of civil jurisdiction in England and Wales dissolves or annuls the civil partnership, or
(b)the civil partnership is dissolved or annulled and the dissolution or annulment is entitled to recognition in England and Wales by virtue of Chapter 3 of Part 5 of the Civil Partnership Act 2004,
unless a contrary intention appears by the appointment.]
(4)For the avoidance of doubt, an appointment under section 5(3) or (4) made in a will or codicil is revoked if the will or codicil is revoked.
(5)A person who is appointed as a guardian under section 5(3) or (4) may disclaim his appointment by an instrument in writing signed by him and made within a reasonable time of his first knowing that the appointment has taken effect.
(6)Where regulations are made by the Lord Chancellor prescribing the manner in which such disclaimers must be recorded, no such disclaimer shall have effect unless it is recorded in the prescribed manner.
(7)Any appointment of a guardian under section 5 may be brought to an end at any time by order of the court—
(a)on the application of any person who has parental responsibility for the child;
(b)on the application of the child concerned, with leave of the court; or
(c)in any family proceedings, if the court considers that it should be brought to an end even though no application has been made.
Textual Amendments
F22S. 6(3A) inserted (8.11.1995 with effect as mentioned in s. 4(2) of the amending Act) ) by 1995 c. 41, ss. 4(1)(2)
F23S. 6(3B) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 76; S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(1), Sch. 1
Commencement Information
I6S. 6 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
(1)A court considering any question with respect to a child under this Act may—
(a)ask [F24an officer of the Service][F25or a Welsh family proceedings officer] ; or
(b)ask a local authority to arrange for—
(i)an officer of the authority; or
(ii)such other person (other than [F24an officer of the Service][F25or a Welsh family proceedings officer] ) as the authority considers appropriate,
to report to the court on such matters relating to the welfare of that child as are required to be dealt with in the report.
(2)The Lord Chancellor may [F26, after consulting the Lord Chief Justice,] make regulations specifying matters which, unless the court orders otherwise, must be dealt with in any report under this section.
(3)The report may be made in writing, or orally, as the court requires.
(4)Regardless of any enactment or rule of law which would otherwise prevent it from doing so, the court may take account of—
(a)any statement contained in the report; and
(b)any evidence given in respect of the matters referred to in the report,
in so far as the statement or evidence is, in the opinion of the court, relevant to the question which it is considering.
(5)It shall be the duty of the authority or [F24officer of the Service][F25or a Welsh family proceedings officer] to comply with any request for a report under this section.
[F27(6)The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005) to exercise his functions under subsection (2).]
Textual Amendments
F24Words in s. 7(1)(a)(b)(ii)(5) substituted (1.4.2001) by 2000 c. 43, s. 74, Sch. 7 Pt. II para. 88(a)(b); S.I. 2001/919, art. 2(f)(ii)
F25Words in s. 7(1)(a)(b)(ii)(5) inserted (1.4.2005) by Children Act 2004 (c. 31), s. 40, Sch. 3 para. 6; S.I. 2005/700, art. 2(2)
F26Words in s. 7(2) inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4). s. 15(1), {Sch. 4 para. 204(2)}; S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(r)
F27S. 7(6) inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4). s. 15(1), {Sch. 4 para. 204(3)}; S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(r)
Commencement Information
I7S. 7 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
Point in Time: This becomes available after navigating to view revised legislation as it stood at a certain point in time via Advanced Features > Show Timeline of Changes or via a point in time advanced search.
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including: