Adoption (Intercountry Aspects) Act 1999 Explanatory Notes

1. Introduction

2. Summary

3. Background

   1. Intercountry adoptions

   2. Existing legislation and procedures

   3. Recognition of foreign adoption orders

   4. The 1993 Hague Convention

4. The Act

5. Commentary on Sections

   1. Implementation of Convention – sections 1 and 2

      1. Section 1.   Regulations giving effect to Convention

      2. Section 2.   Central Authorities and accredited bodies.

   2. Convention adoptions – sections 3 to 8

      1. Section 3.   Convention adoption orders

      2. Section 4.   Effect of Convention adoptions in England and Wales

      3. Section 5.   Effect of Convention adoptions in Scotland

      4. Section 6.   Annulment etc. of Convention adoptions

      5. Section 7.   Acquisition of British citizenship by Convention adoptions

      6. Section 8.   Meaning of ‘Convention adoption’ and related expressions

   3. Intercountry adoptions – sections 9 to 13

      1. Section 9.   Adoption Service to include intercountry adoptions etc.

      2. Section 10.   Approval of adoption agencies to provide intercountry adoption services

      3. Section 11.   Six months residence required for certain intercountry adoptions

      4. Section 12.   Registration of certain intercountry adoptions

      5. Section 13.   Construction of certain references in 1976 Act

   4. Miscellaneous and supplemental – sections 14 to 18

      1. Section 14.   Restriction on bringing children into the United Kingdom for adoption

      2. Section 15.   Amendments and repeals

      3. Section 16.   Devolution

      4. Section 17.   Savings for adoptions etc. under 1965 Convention

      5. Section 18.   Short title, interpretation commencement and extent

6. Schedules

   1. Schedule 1:  Convention of Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption

7. Financial Effects of the Act

8. Effects of the Act on Public Service Manpower

9. Commencement Date

10. Passage of the Act through Parliament