Family Law Reform Act 1987

• Citation: 1987 c. 42
• Sections: 180

Section 1 General principle.

(1) In this Act and enactments passed and instruments made after the coming into force of this section, references (however expressed) to any relationship between two persons shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be construed without regard to whether or not the father and mother of either of them, or the father and mother of any person through whom the relationship is deduced, have or had been married to each other at any time.

(2) In this Act and enactments passed after the coming into force of this section, unless the contrary intention appears—

(a) references to a person whose father and mother were married to , or civil partners of, each other at the time of his birth include; and

(b) references to a person whose father and mother were not married to , or civil partners of, each other at the time of his birth do not include,

references to any person to whom subsection (3) below applies, and cognate references shall be construed accordingly.

(3) This subsection applies to any person who—

(a) is treated as legitimate by virtue of section 1 of the Legitimacy Act 1976;

(b) is a legitimated person within the meaning of section 10 of that Act;

(ba) has a parent by virtue of section 42 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (which relates to treatment provided to a woman who is at the time of treatment married to a woman or a party to a civil partnership or, in certain circumstances, a void marriage or civil partnership);

(bb) has a parent by virtue of section 43 of that Act (which relates to treatment provided to woman who agrees that second woman to be parent) who—

(i) is married to or the civil partner of the child's mother at the time of the child's birth, or

(ii) was married to or the civil partner of the child's mother at any time during the period beginning with the time mentioned in section 43(b) of that Act and ending with the child's birth;

(c) is an adopted person within the meaning of Chapter 4 of Part 1 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002

(d) is otherwise treated in law as legitimate.

(4) For the purpose of construing references falling within subsection (2) above, the time of a person’s birth shall be taken to include any time during the period beginning with—

(a) the insemination resulting in his birth; or

(b) where there was no such insemination, his conception,

and (in either case) ending with his birth.

(4A) Subsection (4B) applies to a person—

(a) who was born before the date on which the Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) Regulations 2019 came into force;

(b) whose parents formed a civil partnership before that date; and

(c) who does not fall within subsection (3)(ba) or (bb).

(4B) A reference falling within subsection (2)(a) or (b) above does not include or (as the case may be) exclude the person by virtue of that civil partnership.

(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 2 Construction of enactments relating to parental rights and duties.

(1) In the following enactments, namely—

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) section 6 of the Family Law Reform Act 1969;

(c) the Guardianship of Minors Act 1971 (in this Act referred to as “ the 1971 Act ”);

(d) Part I of the Guardianship Act 1973 (in this Act referred to as “ the 1973 Act ”);

(e) Part II of the Children Act 1975;

(f) the Child Care Act 1980 except Part I and sections 13, 24, 64 and 65;

(g) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

references (however expressed) to any relationship between two persons shall be construed in accordance with section 1 above.

(2) In subsection (7) of section 1 of the 1973 Act (equality of parental rights) for the words from “or be taken” to the end there shall be substituted the words “ and nothing in subsection (1) above shall be taken as applying in relation to a child whose father and mother were not married to each other at the time of his birth ” .

Section 8 Rights where child in care etc.

(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) In section 8 of the Child Care Act 1980 (application of Part I to children subject to orders of court), for subsection (2) there shall be substituted the following subsections—

(2) Subject to subsection (3) below, where an order of any court is in force giving the right to the actual custody of a child to any person, the provisions of this Part of this Act shall have effect in relation to the child as if for references to the parents or guardians of the child or to a parent or guardian of his there were substituted references to that person.

(3) Where, in the case of a child whose father and mother were not married to each other at the time of his birth, an order is in force under section 4 of the Family Law Reform Act 1987 by virtue of which actual custody is shared between the mother and the father, both the mother and the father shall be treated as parents of the child for the purposes of the provisions of this Part.

(4) In this section “ actual custody ”, in relation to a child, means actual possession of his person.

(3) In section 13 of that Act (penalty for assisting children in care to run away etc.), for subsection (4) there shall be substituted the following subsection—

(4) Subsections (2) and (3) of section 8 of this Act shall apply for the purposes of this section as they apply for the purposes of the provisions of Part I of this Act.

(4) In section 24 of that Act (emigration of children), after subsection (4) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

(4A) Subsection (2) and (3) of section 8 of this Act shall apply for the purposes of the provisions of Part I of this Act.

(5) At the end of section 64 of that Act (transfer of parental rights and duties to voluntary organisations) there shall be added the following subsection—

(8) Subsections (2) and (3) of section 8 of this Act shall apply for the purposes of this section and section 65 of this Act as they apply for the purposes of the provisions of Part I of this Act.

Section 17 Abolition of affiliation proceedings.

The Affiliation Proceedings Act 1957 (the provisions of which are superseded by this Part) shall cease to have effect.

Section 18 Succession on intestacy.

(1) In Part IV of the Administration of Estates Act 1925 (which deals with the distribution of the estate of an intestate), references (however expressed) to any relationship between two persons shall be construed in accordance with section 1 above.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) above and that Part of that Act, a person whose father and mother were not married to , or civil partners of, each other at the time of his birth shall be presumed not to have been survived by his father, or by any person related to him only through his father, unless the contrary is shown.

(2ZA) Subsection (2) does not apply if a person is recorded as the intestate's father, or as a parent (other than the mother) of the intestate—

(a) in a register of births kept (or having effect as if kept) under the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953, or

(b) in a record of a birth included in an index kept under section 30(1) of that Act (indexes relating to certain other registers etc ).

(2A) In the case of a person who has a parent by virtue of section 43 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (treatment provided to woman who agrees that second woman to be parent), the second and third references in subsection (2) to the person's father are to be read as references to the woman who is a parent of the person by virtue of that section.

(3) In section 50(1) of the Administration of Estates Act 1925 (which relates to the construction of documents), the reference to Part IV of that Act, or to the foregoing provisions of that Part, shall in relation to an instrument inter vivos made, or a will or codicil coming into operation, after the coming into force of this section (but not in relation to instruments inter vivos made or wills or codicils coming into operation earlier) be construed as including references to this section.

(4) This section does not affect any rights under the intestacy of a person dying before the coming into force of this section.

Section 19 Dispositions of property.

(1) In the following dispositions, namely—

(a) dispositions inter vivos made on or after the date on which this section comes into force; and

(b) dispositions by will or codicil where the will or codicil is made on or after that date,

references (whether express or implied) to any relationship between two persons shall be construed in accordance with section 1 above.

(2) It is hereby declared that the use, without more, of the word “heir” or “heirs” or any expression purporting to create an entailed interest in real or personal property does not show a contrary intention for the purposes of section 1 as applied by subsection (1) above.

(3) In relation to the dispositions mentioned in subsection (1) above, section 33 of the Trustee Act 1925 (which specifies the trust implied by a direction that income is to be held on protective trusts for the benefit of any person) shall have effect as if any reference (however expressed) to any relationship between two persons were construed in accordance with section 1 above.

(4) Where under any disposition of real or personal property, any interest in such property is limited (whether subject to any preceding limitation or charge or not) in such a way that it would, apart from this section, devolve (as nearly as the law permits) along with a dignity or title of honour, then—

(a) whether or not the disposition contains an express reference to the dignity or title of honour; and

(b) whether or not the property or some interest in the property may in some event become severed from it,

nothing in this section shall operate to sever the property or any interest in it from the dignity or title, but the property or interest shall devolve in all respects as if this section had not been enacted.

(5) This section is without prejudice to section 42 of the Adoption Act 1976 or section 69 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (construction of dispositions in cases of adoption).

(6) In this section “ disposition ” means a disposition, including an oral disposition, of real or personal property whether inter vivos or by will or codicil.

(7) Notwithstanding any rule of law, a disposition made by will or codicil executed before the date on which this section comes into force shall not be treated for the purposes of this section as made on or after that date by reason only that the will or codicil is confirmed by a codicil executed on or after that date.

Section 20 No special protection for trustees and personal representatives.

Section 17 of the Family Law Reform Act 1969 (which enables trustees and personal representatives to distribute property without having ascertained that no person whose parents were not married to each other at the time of his birth, or who claims through such a person, is or may be entitled to an interest in the property) shall cease to have effect.

Section 21 Entitlement to grant of probate etc.

(1) For the purpose of determining the person or persons who would in accordance with probate rules be entitled to a grant of probate or administration in respect of the estate of a deceased person, the deceased shall be presumed, unless the contrary is shown, not to have been survived—

(a) by any person related to him whose father and mother were not married to , or civil partners of, each other at the time of his birth; or

(b) by any person whose relationship with him is deduced through such a person as is mentioned in paragraph (a) above.

(2) In this section “ probate rules ” means rules of court made under section 127 of the Senior Courts Act 1981 .

(3) This section does not apply in relation to the estate of a person dying before the coming into force of this section.

Section 22 Declarations of parentage.

For section 56 of the Family Law Act 1986 (declarations of legitimacy or legitimation) there shall be substituted the following section—

Declarations of parentage, legitimacy or legitimation.

(56)

(1) Any person may apply to the court for a declaration—

(a) that a person named in the application is or was his parent; or

(b) that he is the legitimate child of his parents.

(2) Any person may apply to the court for one (or for one or, in the alternative, the other) of the following declarations, that is to say—

(a) a declaration that he has become a legitimated person;

(b) a declaration that he has not become a legitimated person.

(3) A court shall have jurisdiction to entertain an application under this section if, and only if, the applicant—

(a) is domiciled in England and Wales on the date of the application; or

(b) has been habitually resident in England and Wales throughout the period of one year ending with that date.

(4) Where a declaration is made on an application under subsection (1) above, the prescribed officer of the court shall notify the Registrar General, in such a manner and within such period as may be prescribed, of the making of that declaration.

(5) In this section “ legitimated person ” means a person legitimated or recognised as legitimated—

(a) under section 2 or 3 of the Legitimacy Act 1976;

(b) under section 1 or 8 of the Legitimacy Act 1926; or

(c) by a legitimation (whether or not by virtue of the subsequent marriage of his parents) recognised by the law of England and Wales and effected under the law of another country.

Section 23 Provisions as to scientific tests.

(1) For subsections (1) and (2) of section 20 of the Family Law Reform Act 1969 (power of court to require use of blood tests) there shall be substituted the following subsections—

(1) In any civil proceedings in which the parentage of any person fails to be determined, the court may, either of its own motion or on an application by any party to the proceedings, give a direction—

(a) for the use of scientific tests to ascertain whether such tests show that a party to the proceedings is or is not the father or mother of that person; and

(b) for the taking, within a period specified in the direction, of bodily samples from all or any of the following, namely, that person, any party who is alleged to be the father or mother of that person and any other party to the proceedings;

and the court may at any time revoke or vary a direction previously given by it under this subsection.

(2) The individual carrying out scientific tests in pursuance of a direction under subsection (1) above shall make to the court a report in which he shall state—

(a) the results of the tests;

(b) whether any party to whom the report relates is or is not excluded by the results from being the father or mother of the person whose parentage is to be determined; and

(c) in relation to any party who is not so excluded, the value, if any, of the results in determining whether that party is the father or mother of that person;

and the report shall be received by the court as evidence in the proceedings of the matters stated in it.

(2A) Where the proceedings in which the parentage of any person fails to be determined are proceedings on an application under section 55A or 56 of the Family Law Act 1986, any reference in subsection (1) or (2) of this section to any party to the proceedings shall include a reference to any person named in the application.

(2) In section 25 of that Act (interpretation of Part III)—

(a) for the definitions of “blood samples” and “blood tests” there shall be substituted the following definition—

“ bodily sample ” means a sample of bodily fluid or bodily tissue taken for the purpose of scientific tests;

(b) after the definition of “excluded” there shall be inserted the following definition—

“ scientific tests ” means scientific tests carried out under this Part of this Act and made with the object of ascertaining the inheritable characteristics of bodily fluids or bodily tissue.

Section 24 Registration of father where parents not married.

For section 10 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953 (in this Act referred to as “ the 1953 Act ”) there shall be substituted the following section—

Registration of father where parents not married.

(10)

(1) Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this Act, in the case of a child whose father and mother were not married to each other at the time of his birth, no person shall as father of the child be required to give information concerning the birth of the child, and the registrar shall not enter in the register the name of any person as father of the child except—

(a) at the joint request of the mother and the person stating himself to be the father of the child (in which case that person shall sign the register together with the mother; or

(b) at the request of the mother on production of—

(i) a declaration in the prescribed form made by the mother stating that that person is the father of the child; and

(ii) a statutory declaration made by that person stating himself to be the father of the child; or

(c) at the request of that person on production of—

(i) a declaration in the prescribed form by that person stating himself to be the father of the child; and

(ii) a statutory declaration made by the mother stating that that person is the father of the child; or

(d) at the request of the mother or that person (which shall in either case be made in writing) on production of—

(i) a certified copy of a relevant order; and

(ii) if the child has attained the age of sixteen, the written consent of the child to the registration of that person as his father.

(2) Where, in the case of a child whose father and mother were not married to each other at the time of his birth, a person stating himself to be the father of the child makes a request to the registrar in accordance with paragraph (c) or (d) of subsection (1) of this section—

(a) he shall be treated as a qualified informant concerning the birth of the child for the purposes of this Act; and

(b) the giving of information concerning the birth of the child by that person and the signing of the register by him in the presence of the register shall act as a discharge of any duty of any other qualified informant under section 2 of this Act.

(3) In this section and section 10A of this Act references to a child whose father and mother were not married to each other at the time of his birth shall be construed in accordance with section 1 of the Family Law Reform Act 1987 and “relevant order”, in relation to a request under subsection (1)(d) that the name of any person be entered in the register as father of a child, means any of the following orders, namely—

(a) an order under section 4 of the said Act of 1987 which gives that person all the parental rights and duties with respect to the child;

(b) an order under section 9 of the Guardianship of Minors Act 1971 which gives that person any parental right with respect to the child; and

(c) an order under section 11B of that Act which requires that person to make any financial provision for the child.

Section 25 Re-registration where parents not married.

For section 10A of the 1953 Act there shall be substituted the following section—

Re-registration where parents not married.

(10A)

(1) Where there has been registered under this Act the birth of a child whose father and mother were not married to each other at the time of the birth, but no person has been registered as the father of the child, the registrar shall re-register the birth so as to show a person as the father—

(a) at the joint request of the mother and that person; or

(b) at the request of the mother on production of—

(i) a declaration in the prescribed form made by the mother stating that that person is the father of the child; and

(ii) a statutory declaration made by that person stating himself to be the father of the child; or

(c) at the request of that person on production of—

(i) a declaration in the prescribed form by that person stating himself to be the father of the child; and

(ii) a statutory declaration made by the mother stating that that person is the father of the child; or

(d) at the request of the mother or that person (which shall in either case be made in writing) on production of—

(i) a certified copy of a relevant order; and

(ii) if the child has attained the age of sixteen, the written consent of the child to the registration of that person as his father;

but no birth shall be re-registered under this section except in the prescribed manner and with the authority of the Registrar General.

(2) On the re-registration of a birth under this section—

(a) the registrar shall sign the register;

(b) in the case of a request under paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1) of this section, or a request under paragraph (d) of that subsection made by the mother of the child, the mother shall also sign the register;

(c) in the case of a request under paragraph (a) or (c) of that subsection, or a request made under paragraph (d) of that subsection by the person requesting to be registered as the father of the child, that person shall also sign the register; and

(d) if the re-registration takes place more than three months after the birth, the superintendent registrar shall also sign the register.

Section 26 Re-registration after declaration of parentage.

After section 14 of the 1953 Act there shall be inserted the following section—

Re-registration after declaration of parentage.

(14A)

(1) Where, in the case of a person whose birth has been registered in England and Wales—

(a) the Registrar General receives, by virtue of section 56(4) of the Family Law Act 1986, a notification of the making of a declaration of parentage in respect of that person; and

(b) it appears to him that the birth of that person should be re-registered,

he shall authorise the re-registration of that person’s birth, and the re-registration shall be effected in such manner and at such place as may be prescribed.

(2) This section shall apply with the prescribed modifications in relation to births at sea of which a return is sent to the Registrar General.

Section 27 Artificial insemination.

(1) Where after the coming into force of this section a child is born in England and Wales as the result of the artificial insemination of a woman who—

(a) was at the time of the insemination a party to a marriage (being a marriage which had not at that time been dissolved or annulled); and

(b) was artificially inseminated with the semen of some person other than the other party to that marriage,

then, unless it is proved to the satisfaction of any court by which the matter has to be determined that the other party to that marriage did not consent to the insemination, the child shall be treated in law as the child of the parties to that marriage and shall not be treated as the child of any person other than the parties to that marriage.

(2) Any reference in this section to a marriage includes a reference to a void marriage if at the time of the insemination resulting in the birth of the child both or either of the parties reasonably believed that the marriage was valid; and for the purposes of this section it shall be presumed, unless the contrary is shown, that one of the parties so believed at that time that the marriage was valid.

(3) Nothing in this section shall affect the succession to any dignity or title of honour or render any person capable of succeeding to or transmitting a right to succeed to any such dignity or title.

Section 28 Children of void marriages.

(1) In subsection (1) of section 1 of the Legitimacy Act 1976 (legitimacy of children of certain void marriages), for the words “the act of intercourse resulting in the birth” there shall be substituted the words “ the insemination resulting in the birth or, where there was no such insemination, the child’s conception ” .

(2) At the end of that section there shall be added the following subsections—

(3) It is hereby declared for the avoidance of doubt that subsection (1) above applies notwithstanding that the belief that the marriage was valid was due to a mistake as to law.

(4) In relation to a child born after the coming into force of section 28 of the Family Law Reform Act 1987, it shall be presumed for the purposes of subsection (1) above, unless the contrary is shown, that one of the parties to the void marriage reasonably believed at the time of the insemination resulting in the birth or, where there was no such insemination, the child’s conception (or at the time of the celebration of the marriage if later) that the marriage was valid.

Section 29 Evidence of paternity in civil proceedings.

(1) Section 12 of the Civil Evidence Act 1968 (which relates to the admissibility in evidence in civil proceedings of the fact that a person has been adjudged to be the father of a child in affiliation proceedings) shall be amended as follows.

(2) For paragraph (b) of subsection (1) there shall be substituted the following paragraph—

(b) the fact that a person has been found to be the father of a child in relevant proceedings before any court in England and Wales or has been adjudged to be the father of a child in affiliation proceedings before any court in the United Kingdom;

(3) In subsection (2) for the words “to have been adjudged” there shall be substituted the words “ to have been found or adjudged ” and for the words “matrimonial or affiliation proceedings” there shall be substituted the words “ other proceedings ” .

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 30 Orders applying section 1 to other enactments.

(1) The Lord Chancellor may by order make provision for the construction in accordance with section 1 above of such enactments passed before the coming into force of that section as may be specified in the order.

(2) An order under this section shall so amend the enactments to which it relates as to secure that (so far as practicable) they continue to have the same effect notwithstanding the making of the order.

(3) An order under this section shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Section 31 Interpretation.

In this Act—

“ the 1953 Act ” means the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953;

“ the 1971 Act ” means the Guardianship of Minors Act 1971;

“ the 1973 Act ” means the Guardianship Act 1973.

Section 32 Text of 1971 Act as amended.

The 1971 Act (excluding consequential amendments of other enactments and savings) is set out in Schedule 1 to this Act as it will have effect, subject to sections 33(2) and 34(3) below, when all the amendments and repeals made in it by this Act come into force.

Section 33 Amendments, transitional provisions, savings and repeals.

(1) The enactments mentioned in Schedule 2 to this Act shall have effect subject to the amendments there specified, being minor amendments and amendments consequential on the provisions of this Act.

(2) The transitional provisions and savings in Schedule 3 to this Act shall have effect.

(3) The inclusion in this Act of any express saving or amendment shall not be taken as prejudicing the operation of sections 16 and 17 of the Interpretation Act 1978 (which relate to the effect of repeals).

(4) The enactments mentioned in Schedule 4 to this Act are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.

Section 34 Short title, commencement and extent.

(1) This Act may be cited as the Family Law Reform Act 1987.

(2) This Act shall come into force on such day as the Lord Chancellor may by order made by statutory instrument appoint; and different days may be so appointed for different provisions or different purposes.

(3) Without prejudice to the transitional provisions contained in Schedule 3 to this Act, an order under subsection (2) above may make such further transitional provisions as appear to the Lord Chancellor to be necessary or expedient in connection with the provisions brought into force by the order, including—

(a) such adaptations of the provisions so brought into force; and

(b) such adaptations of any provisions of this Act then in force,

as appear to him necessary or expedient in consequence of the partial operation of this Act.

(4) The following provisions of this Act extend to Scotland and Northern Ireland, namely—

(a) –section 33(1) and paragraphs 12, 13 and 74 of Schedule 2;

(b) –section 33(2) and paragraph 7 of Schedule 3 so far as relating to the operation of the Maintenance Orders Act 1950;

(c) –section 33(4) and Schedule 4 so far as relating to that Act and the Interpretation Act 1978; and

(d) –this section.

(5) Subject to subsection (4) above, this Act extends to England and Wales only.

Section 1

Principle on which questions relating to custody, upbringing etc. of children are to be decided.

Section 1 Principle on which questions relating to custody, upbringing etc. of children are to be decided.

(1) Where in any proceedings before any court (whether or not a court as defined in section 15 of this Act)—

(a) the legal custody or upbringing of a child; or

(b) the administration of any property belonging to or held on trust for a child, or the application of the income thereof,

is in question, the court, in deciding that question, shall regard the welfare of the child as the first and paramount consideration, and shall not take into consideration whether from any other point of view the claim of the father in respect of such legal custody, upbringing, administration or application is superior to that of the mother, or the claim of the mother is superior to that of the father.

Section 3

Rights of surviving parent as to guardianship.

Section 3 Rights of surviving parent as to guardianship.

(1) On the death of the father of a child, the mother, if surviving, shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, be guardian of the child either alone or jointly with any guardian appointed by the father; and—

(a) where no guardian has been appointed by the father; or

(b) in the event of the death or refusal to act of the guardian or guardians appointed by the father,

the court may, if it thinks fit, appoint a guardian to act jointly with the mother.

(2) On the death of the mother of a child, the father, if surviving, shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, be guardian of the child either alone or jointly with any guardian appointed by the mother; and—

(a) where no guardian has been appointed by the mother; or

(b) in the event of the death or refusal to act of the guardian or guardians appointed by the mother,

the court may, if it thinks fit, appoint a guardian to act jointly with the father.

(3) Where the father and mother of a child were not married to each other at the time of his birth, this section does not apply unless the father satisfies the requirements of subsection (4) of this section.

(4) The father of a child satisfies the requirements of this subsection if—

(a) an order is in force under section 4 of the Family Law Reform Act 1987 giving him all the parental rights and duties with respect to the child; or

(b) he has a right to custody, legal or actual custody or care and control of the child by virtue of an order made under any other enactment.

Section 4

Power of father and mother to appoint testamentary guardians.

Section 4 Power of father and mother to appoint testamentary guardians.

(1) The father of a child may by deed or will appoint any person to be guardian of the child after his death.

(2) The mother of a child may by deed or will appoint any person to be guardian of the child after her death.

(3) Any guardian so appointed shall act jointly with the mother or father, as the case may be, of the child so long as the mother or father remains alive unless the mother or father objects to his so acting.

(4) If the mother or father so objects, or if the guardian so appointed considers that the mother or father is unfit to have the custody of the child, the guardian may apply to the court, and the court may either—

(a) refuse to make any order (in which case the mother or father shall remain sole guardian); or

(b) make an order that the guardian so appointed—

(i) shall act jointly with the mother or father; or

(ii) shall be the sole guardian of the child.

(5) Where the guardians are appointed by both parents, the guardians so appointed shall, after the death of the surviving parent, act jointly.

(6) If under section 3 of this Act a guardian has been appointed by the court to act jointly with a surviving parent, he shall continue to act as guardian after the death of the surviving parent; but, if the surviving parent has appointed a guardian, the guardian appointed by the court shall act jointly with the guardian appointed by the surviving parent.

(7) Where the father and mother of a child were not married to each other at the time of his birth—

(a) subsection (1) of this section does not apply, and subsection (3) of this section does not apply in relation to a guardian appointed by the mother, unless the father satisfies the requirements of section 3(4) of this Act; and

(b) any appointment under subsection (1) of this section shall be of no effect unless the father satisfies those requirements immediately before his death.

Section 5

Power of court to appoint guardian for child having no parent etc.

Section 5 Power of court to appoint guardian for child having no parent etc.

(1) Where a child has no parent, no guardian of the person, and no other person having parental rights with respect to him, the court, on the application of any person, may, if it thinks fit, appoint the applicant to be the guardian of the child.

(2) A court may entertain an application under this section to appoint a guardian of a child notwithstanding that parental rights and duties with respect to the child are vested in a local authority or a voluntary organisation by virtue of a resolution under section 3 or 64 of the Child Care Act 1980.

(3) Where the father and mother of a child were not married to each other at the time of his birth, subsection (1) of this section shall have effect as if for the words “no parent” there were substituted the words “ no mother, no father satisfying the requirements of section 3(4) of this Act ” .

Section 6

Power of High Court to remove or replace guardian.

Section 6 Power of High Court to remove or replace guardian.

The High Court may in its discretion on being satisfied that it is for the welfare of the child remove from his office any testamentary guardian or any guardian appointed or acting by virtue of this Act, and may also, if it deems it to be for the welfare of the child, appoint another guardian in place of the guardian so removed.

Section 7

Disputes between joint guardians.

Section 7 Disputes between joint guardians.

Where two or more persons act as joint guardians of the child and they are unable to agree on any question affecting the welfare of the child, any of them may apply to the court for its direction and the court may make such order regarding the matters in difference that it may think proper.

Section 9

Orders for custody on application of either parent.

Section 9 Orders for custody on application of either parent.

(1) The court may, on the application of either parent of a child, make such order regarding—

(a) the legal custody of the child; and

(b) access to the child by either parent,

as the court thinks fit; and an order under this section may be varied or discharged by a subsequent order made on the application of either parent or, after the death of either parent, on the application of any guardian appointed under this Act.

(2) An order under this section—

(a) shall not give legal custody to a person other than a parent of the child; and

(b) shall not be made at any time when the child is free for adoption by virtue of an order made under section 18 of the Adoption Act 1976 or section 18 of the Adoption (Scotland) Act 1978.

Section 10

Orders for custody in guardianship cases.

Section 10 Orders for custody in guardianship cases.

(1) Where the court makes an order under section 4(4) of this Act that a person shall be sole guardian of a child to the exclusion of a parent, the court may make such order regarding—

(a) the legal custody of the child; and

(b) access to the child by the parent,

as the court thinks fit; and the powers conferred by this subsection may be exercised at any time and include power to vary or discharge any order previously made.

(2) The powers of the court under section 7 of this Act to make orders regarding matters in difference between joint guardians shall include, where a parent of the child is one of the joint guardians—

(a) power to make such order regarding—

(i) the legal custody of the child; and

(ii) access to the child by the parent,

as the court thinks fit; and

(b) powers to vary or discharge any order previously made by virtue of this subsection.

(3) An order shall not be made under or by virtue of this section at any time when the child is free for adoption by virtue of an order made under section 18 of the Adoption Act 1976 or section 18 of the Adoption (Scotland) Act 1978.

Section 11A

Further provisions relating to orders for custody.

Section 11A Further provisions relating to orders for custody.

(1) An order shall not be made under section 9 or 10 of this Act giving the legal custody of a child to more than one person; but where the court makes an order under one of those sections giving legal custody of a child to any person it may order that a parent of the child who is not given the legal custody of the child shall retain all or such as the court may specify of the parental rights and duties comprised in legal custody (other than the right to the actual custody of the child) and shall have those rights and duties jointly with the person who is given the legal custody of the child.

(2) Where the court makes an order under section 9 or 10 of this Act the court may direct that the order, or such provision thereof as the court may specify, shall not have effect until the occurence of an event specified by the court or the expiration of a period so specified; and where the court has directed that the order or any provision thereof shall not have effect until the expiration of a specified period, the court may, at any time before the expiration of that period, direct that the order, or that provision thereof, shall not have effect until the expiration of such further period as the court may specify.

(3) Any order made in respect of a child under section 9 or 10 of this Act shall cease to have effect when the child attains the age of eighteen.

Section 11B

Orders for financial relief on application of either parent.

Section 11B Orders for financial relief on application of either parent.

(1) The court may, on the application of either parent of a child, make—

(a) in the case of proceedings in the High Court or a county court, one or more of the orders mentioned in subsection (2) of this section;

(b) in the case of proceedings in a magistrates’ court, one or both of the orders mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (c) of that subsection;

and an order mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection may be varied or discharged on the application of either parent or, after the death of either parent, on the application of any guardian appointed under this Act.

(2) The orders referred to in subsection (1) of this section are—

(a) an order requiring one parent to make to the other parent for the benefit of the child, or to the child, such periodical payments, and for such terms, as may be specified in the order;

(b) an order requiring one parent to secure to the other parent for the benefit of the child, or to secure to the child, such periodical payments, and for such term, as may be so specified;

(c) an order requiring one parent to pay to the other parent for the benefit of the child, or to the child, such lump sum as may be so specified;

(d) an order requiring either parent to transfer to the other parent for the benefit of the child, or to the child, such property as may be so specified, being property to which the first-mentioned parent is entitled, either in possession or reversion;

(e) an order requiring that a settlement of such property as may be so specified, being property to which either parent is so entitled, be made to the satisfaction of the court for the benefit of the child.

Section 11C

Orders for financial relief in guardianship cases.

Section 11C Orders for financial relief in guardianship cases.

(1) Where the court makes an order under section 4(4) of this Act that a person shall be sole guardian of a child to the exclusion of a parent, the court may make—

(a) in the case of proceedings in the High Court or a county court, one or more of the orders mentioned in subsection (3) of this section;

(b) in the case of proceedings in a magistrates’ court, one or both of the orders mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (c) of that subsection;

and the powers conferred by this subsection may be exercised at any time and include power to vary or discharge any order mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection previously made.

(2) The powers of the court under section 7 of this Act to make orders regarding matters in difference between joint guardians shall include, where a parent of the child is one of the joint guardians—

(a) power to make—

(i) in the case of proceedings in the High Court or a county court, one or more of the orders mentioned in subsection (3) of this section;

(ii) in the case of proceedings in a magistrates’ court, one or both of the orders mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (c) of that subsection; and

(b) power to vary or discharge any order mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection previously made.

(3) The orders referred to in subsections (1) and (2) of this section are—

(a) an order requiring the parent to make to the guardian or other guardian for the benefit of the child, or to the child, such periodical payments, and for such term, as may be specified in the order;

(b) an order requiring the parent to secure to the guardian or other guardian for the benefit of the child, or to secure to the child, such periodical payments, and for such term, as may be so specified;

(c) an order requiring the parent to pay to the guardian or other guardian for the benefit of the child, or to the child, such lump sum as may be so specified;

(d) an order requiring the parent to transfer to the guardian or other guardian for the benefit of the child, or to the child, such property as may be so specified, being property to which the parent is entitled, either in possession or reversion;

(e) an order requiring that a settlement of such property as may be so specified, being property to which the parent is so entitled, be made to the satisfaction of the court for the benefit of the child.

Section 11D

Orders for financial relief for persons over eighteen.

Section 11D Orders for financial relief for persons over eighteen.

(1) If, on an application by a person who has attained the age of eighteen and whose parents are not living with each other in the same household, it appears to the High Court or a county court—

(a) that the applicant is, will be or (if an order were made under this section) would be receiving instruction at an educational establishment or undergoing training for a trade, profession or vocation, whether or not he also is, will be or would be in gainful employment; or

(b) that there are special circumstances which justify the making or an order under this section,

the court may make one or both of the orders mentioned in subsection (2) of this section.

(2) The orders referred to in subsection (1) of this section are—

(a) an order requiring either or both of the applicant’s parents to pay to the applicant such periodical payments and for such term, as may be specified in the order; and

(b) an order requiring either or both of the applicant’s parents to pay to the applicant such lump sum as may be so specified.

(3) An application may not be made under this section by any person if, immediately before he attained the age of sixteen, a periodical payments order was in force with respect to him.

(4) No order shall be made under this section at a time when the parents of the applicant are living with each other in the same household.

(5) Any order made under this section requiring the making of periodical payments shall, notwithstanding anything in the order, cease to have effect on the death of the person liable to make payments under the order.

(6) An order under this section requiring the making of periodical payments may be varied or discharged by a subsequent order made on the application of any person by or to whom payments were required to be made under the previous order.

(7) In subsection (3) of this section “ periodical payments order ” means an order made under—

(a) this Act,

(b) section 6(3) of the Family Law Reform Act 1969,

(c) section 23 or 27 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973,

(d) section 34 of the Children Act 1975, or

(e) Part I of the Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates’ Courts Act 1978,

for the making or securing of periodical payments.

Section 12

Duration of orders for periodical payments.

Section 12 Duration of orders for periodical payments.

(1) The term to be specified in an order for periodical payments made by virtue of section 11B(2)(a) or (b) or 11C(3)(a) or (b) of this Act in favour of a child may begin with the date of the making of an application for the order in question or any later date; but—

(a) shall not in the first instance extend beyond the date of the birthday of the child next following his attaining the upper limit of the compulsory school age (that is to say, the age that is for the time being that limit by virtue of section 35 of the Education Act 1944 together with any Order in Council made under that section) unless the court thinks it right in the circumstances in the case to specify a later date: and

(b) shall not in any event, subject to subsection (2) below, extend beyond the date of the child’s eighteenth birthday.

(2) Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) above shall not apply in the case of a child if it appears to the court that—

(a) the child is, will be or (if an order were made without complying with that paragraph) would be receiving instruction at an educational establishment or undergoing training for a trade, profession or vocation, whether or not he also is, will be or would be in gainful employment; or

(b) there are special circumstances which justify the making of an order without complying with that paragraph.

(3) An order for periodical payments made by virtue of section 11B(2)(a) or 11C(3)(a) of this Act shall, notwithstanding anything in the order, cease to have effect on the death of the person liable to make payments under the order.

Section 12A

Matters to which court is to have regard in making order for financial relief.

Section 12A Matters to which court is to have regard in making orders for financial relief.

In deciding whether to exercise its powers under section 11B, 11C or 11D of this Act and, if so, in what manner, the court shall have regard to all the circumstances of the case including the following matters, that is to say—

(a) the income, earning capacity, property and other financial resources which the mother or father of the child has or is likely to have in the foreseeable future;

(b) the financial needs, obligations and responsibilities which the mother or father of the child has or is likely to have in the foreseeable future;

(c) the financial needs of the child;

(d) the income, earning capacity (if any), property and other financial resources of the child;

(e) any physical or mental disability of the child.

Section 12B

Provisions relating to lump sums.