SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 13Civil partnerships of persons under 18: Northern Ireland
Part 2Dispensing with consent
3Order dispensing with consent
1
This paragraph applies if—
a
a young person and another person intend to register as civil partners of each other, and
b
a county court is satisfied as mentioned in sub-paragraphs (3) and (4).
2
A county court may make an order dispensing with the consent of any person whose consent is required.
3
The court must be satisfied that the registration of the civil partnership is in the best interests of the young person.
4
The court must be satisfied that—
a
it is not reasonably practicable to obtain the consent of any person whose consent is required,
b
any person whose consent is required withholds or refuses that consent, or
c
there is uncertainty as to whose consent is required.
5
An application for an order under this paragraph may be made—
a
by or on behalf of the young person, or
b
by or on behalf of the other person (who may be another young person) mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a),
and without the intervention of a next friend.
6
The decision of the county court on any application made under this paragraph is final and conclusive.