Section 55 Meaning of “child”.F1

England, Wales and Scotland

(1)

In this Act, “child” means (subject to subsection (2)) a person who—

(a)

has not attained the age of 16, or

(b)

has not attained the age of 20 and satisfies such conditions as may be prescribed.

(2)

A person who is or has been party to a marriage or civil partnership is not a child for the purposes of this Act.

(3)

For the purposes of subsection (2), “marriage” and “civil partnership” include a void marriage and a void civil partnership respectively.

Annotations

F1: S. 55 substituted (8.10.2012 for specified purposes, 10.12.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008 (c. 6), ss. 42, 62(3); S.I. 2012/2523, art. 2(2)(e); S.I. 2012/3042, art. 4(b)

F1: Word in Act substituted (3.3.2003 for specified purposes) by Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 (c. 19), ss. 1(2)(b), 86(1)(a)(2) (with ss. 28, 83(6)); S.I. 2003/192, art. 3, Sch.