Intercountry Adoption and the 1993 Hague Convention 14 of 14

Page 14 of 14

Whenever an application for a Convention adoption order is made, the court will appoint a Children's Guardian to act on behalf of the child (unless the court is satisfied that it is not necessary to do so to safeguard the interests of the child). The Children's Guardian must make a report to the court advising on the interests of the child and give any other advice the court asks for.

A First Directions Hearing is an appointment at which the judge will consider your application and make decisions (known as directions) about such matters as:

• whether there are any errors or omissions in your application or supporting documents that need to be corrected;
• whether the requirements of the 2002 Act and the Adoptions with a Foreign Element Regulations 2005 have been complied with;
• if not all relevant documents are in English, the timetable for translating any outstanding documents;
• the timetable for filing any reports from an adoption agency, local authority or CAFCASS/Welsh Family Proceedings Officer, and any other evidence;
• the disclosure of information to the applicants and the parents or guardians of the child;
• whether a further directions hearing is necessary; and
• if possible, the date and place of the final hearing. It is at the final hearing that the adoption order is made, if that is what the court decides.

A copy of the order explaining what directions the court has made will be sent to you or your solicitor if one is acting for you.

Once directions have been given, the court will monitor the progress of your case to make certain that the timetable and any directions are complied with.

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Source:

HM Courts Service

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