Amendments to the Family Procedure Rules 2010
32. For rule 14.2, substitute—
“Application for a serial number
14.2.—(1) This rule applies where—
(a)any application in proceedings is made by a person who intends to adopt a child; or
(b)an adoption order in respect of the child has been made and an application is made for—
(i)a contact order under section 51A(2)(a) of the 2002 Act;
(ii)an order prohibiting contact with the child under section 51A(2)(b) of the 2002 Act; or
(iii)the variation or revocation of an order under section 51A(2) of the 2002 Act in accordance with section 51B(1)(c).
(2) If, before proceedings have started, the person intending to adopt the child requests a court officer to assign a serial number to identify the person in connection with proceedings in order for the person’s identity to be kept confidential in those proceedings, a serial number will be assigned.
(3) If a person in whose favour an adoption order has been made requests a court officer to assign a serial number to keep the identity of the person confidential in proceedings referred to in paragraph (1)(b), a serial number will be so assigned.
(4) The court may at any time direct that a serial number assigned to a person under paragraph (2) or (3) must be removed.
(5) If a serial number has been assigned to a person under paragraph (2) or (3)—
(a)the court officer will ensure that any notice sent in accordance with these rules does not contain information which discloses, or is likely to disclose, the identity of that person to any other party to that application who is not already aware of that person’s identity; and
(b)the proceedings on the application will be conducted with a view to securing that the person is not seen by or made known to any party who is not already aware of the person’s identity except with the person’s consent.”.