s 42 Matters with respect to which court to be satisfied before making adoption order
42.—(1) The court must not make an adoption order unless the court is satisfied that —(a) every relevant person whose consent is required under section 26 and whose consent is not dispensed with has freely consented to and understands the nature and effect of the adoption order and, in particular, every relevant person who is a parent of the child understands that the effect of the adoption order will be permanently to deprive him or her of his or her parental rights over the child; (b) the adoption order, if made, will be for the welfare of the child; and (c) the joint applicants or sole applicant (as the case may be) have or has the appropriate character and fitness and are or is suitable to adopt the child. (2) For the purpose of satisfying itself whether the adoption order, if made, will be for the welfare of the child under subsection (1)(b), the court is to give due consideration to the wishes of the child, having regard to the age and maturity of the child.