Regulation 5 Modifications to the General Regulations for the purposes of adoptions from overseas

for the definition of “A” substitute—

• ““A”, in relation to C, means the person by whom C has been or is to be adopted;”; and

insert the following definitions in the appropriate places alphabetically—

• ““enter Northern Ireland” means enter Northern Ireland from outside the United Kingdom in connection with or for the purposes of adoption;”;

• ““official notification” means written notification, issued by or on behalf of the relevant central authority, that it is prepared to issue a certificate to the overseas authority concerned with the adoption of C, or that it has issued a certificate and sent it to that authority, confirming, in either case, that A is eligible to adopt, and has been assessed and approved as being a suitable adoptive parent;”;

• ““relevant central authority” means—

  1. (a)

     in the case of an adopter to whom the Intercountry Adoption (Hague Convention) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003^f1 apply and who is habitually resident in Northern Ireland, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety; and

  2. (b)

     in any other case, the Secretary of State.”.