Interpretation2.

In these Regulations—

“Central Authority” has the meaning given by regulation 9(1);

“Contracting State” means a state party to the Convention;

“the Convention” means the Convention on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-Operation in respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children that was signed at The Hague on 19 October 19963;
“the Council Regulation” means Council Regulation (EC) No. 2201/20034 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility;

“Department of Justice” means the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland;

“local authority” means—

(a)

in relation to England, the council of a county, a metropolitan district, the Council of the Isles of Scilly, a London borough or the Common Council of the City of London, and

(b)

in relation to Wales, the council of a county or a county borough;

“member State” means a member State of the European Union which is bound by the Council Regulation;

“Northern Ireland authority” means an authority within the meaning given by Article 2(2) of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 19955;

“public authority” means a body whose functions are wholly or mainly of a public nature;

“Welsh family proceedings officer” has the meaning given by section 35 of the Children Act 20046.