Adoption Proceedings - A New Approach

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Intercountry Adoption Supplement: June 2003

This guidance is also available in pdf format.

Introduction

In October 2001, the President of the Family Division with the approval of the Lord Chancellor issued the guidance entitled 'Adoption Proceedings – A New Approach'. The guidance is designed to reduce delay and inefficiency in adoption court proceedings and to improve the service for everyone in adoption cases.

Following the recent implementation of further sections of the Adoption (Intercountry Aspects) Act 1999 and ratification of the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption, this supplement, issued by the President of the Family Division, outlines those changes to the guidance that shall apply whenever an intercountry adoption application is made.

This supplement should be applied flexibly to a wide range of intercountry adoption cases both contested and uncontested. It should be read in conjunction with the earlier guidance and will apply to all intercountry adoption applications issued on or after 1st June 2003.