# The Family Procedure (Adoption) Rules 2005, Article 55: How a person becomes a litigation friend by court order


(1) The court may make an order appointing—
(a) the Official Solicitor;
(b) in the case of a non-subject child, an officer of the Service or a Welsh family proceedings officer (if he consents); or
(c) some other person (if he consents)
as a litigation friend.
(2) An order appointing a litigation friend may be made by the court of its own initiative or on the application of—
(a) a person who wishes to be a litigation friend; or
(b) a party to the proceedings.
(3) The court may at any time direct that a party make an application for an order under paragraph (2).
(4) An application for an order appointing a litigation friend must be supported by evidence.
(5) Unless the court directs otherwise, a person appointed under this rule to be a litigation friend for a non-subject child or patient will be treated as a party for the purpose of any provision in these Rules requiring a document to be served on, or sent to, or notice to be given to, a party to the proceedings.
(6) Subject to rule 53(4), the court may not appoint a litigation friend under this rule unless it is satisfied that the person to be appointed complies with the conditions specified in rule 53(3).

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/2795/article/55 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/family-procedure-adoption-rules-2005/article-55
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.