Adoption (Intercountry Aspects) Act 1999

2 Central Authorities and accredited bodies

(1) The functions under the Convention of the Central Authority are to be discharged—

(a) separately in relation to England and Scotland by the Secretary of State; and

(b) in relation to Wales by the National Assembly for Wales.

(2) A communication may be sent to the Central Authority in relation to any part of Great Britain by sending it (for forwarding if necessary) to the Central Authority in relation to England.

(3) An approved adoption society is an accredited body for the purposes of the Convention if the approval extends to the provision of facilities in respect of Convention adoptions and adoptions effected by Convention adoption orders.

(4) The functions under Article 9(a) to (c) of the Convention are to be discharged by local authorities and accredited bodies on behalf of the Central Authority.

(5) In this section in its application to England and Wales, “approved adoption society” has the same meaning as in Part I of the [1976 c. 36.] Adoption Act 1976 (“the 1976 Act”); and expressions which are also used in that Act have the same meanings as in that Act.

(6) In this section in its application to Scotland, “approved adoption society” has the same meaning as in section 65(1) (interpretation) of the [1978 c. 28.] Adoption (Scotland) Act 1978 (“the 1978 Act”); and expressions which are also used in that Act have the same meanings as in that Act.