Children Act 1989

1 (1) The Lord Chancellor may by order specify proceedings under this Act or the Adoption Act 1976 which may only be commenced in—

(a) a specified level of court;

(b) a court which falls within a specified class of court; or

(c) a particular court determined in accordance with, or specified in, the order.

(2) The Lord Chancellor may by order specify circumstances in which specified proceedings under this Act or the Adoption Act 1976 (which might otherwise be commenced elsewhere) may only be commenced in—

(a) a specified level of court;

(b) a court which falls within a specified class of court; or

(c) a particular court determined in accordance with, or specified in, the order.

[F1 (2A) Sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) shall also apply in relation to proceedings—

(a) under section 27 of the Child Support Act 1991 (reference to court for declaration of parentage); or

(b) which are to be dealt with in accordance with an order made under section 45 of that Act (jurisdiction of courts in certain proceedings under that Act)]

(3) The Lord Chancellor may by order make provision by virtue of which, where specified proceedings with respect to a child under—

(a) this Act;

(b) the Adoption Act 1976;

[F2 (bb) section 20 (appeals) or 27 (reference to court for declaration of parentage) of the Child Support Act 1991;] or

(c) the High Court’s inherent jurisdiction with respect to children,

have been commenced in or transferred to any court (whether or not by virtue of an order under this Schedule), any other specified family proceedings which may affect, or are otherwise connected with, the child may, in specified circumstances, only be commenced in that court.

(4) A class of court specified in an order under this Schedule may be described by reference to a description of proceedings and may include different levels of court.

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 11 para. 1(2A) inserted (17.6.1992) by Child Support Act 1991 (c. 48, SIF 20), s. 45(4) (with saving in s. 9(2)); S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2,Sch.

F2 Sch. 11 para. 1(3)(bb) inserted (17.6.1992) by Child Support Act 1991 (c. 48, SIF 20), s. 45(5) (with saving in s. 9(2)); S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 11 Pt. I para. 1 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)