16.35.—(1) The parental order reporter is to act on behalf of the child upon the hearing of any application in proceedings to which Part 13 applies with the duty of safeguarding the interests of the child.
(2) The parental order reporter must—
(a)investigate the matters set out in sections 54(1) to (8) of the 2008 Act;
(b)so far as the parental order reporter considers necessary, investigate any matter contained in the application form or other matter which appears relevant to the making of the parental order; and
(c)advise the court on whether there is any reason under section 1 of the 2002 Act (as applied with modifications by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Parental Orders) Regulations 2010) to refuse the parental order.
(3) The parental order reporter must also provide the court with such other assistance as it may require.
(4) The parental order reporter's duties must be exercised in accordance with Practice Direction 16A.
(5) A report to the court by the parental order reporter is confidential.