Adoption Act 2010

Conversion of certain adoptions effected in contracting states and recognised in State.

69.— (1) Subject to subsection (2), the Authority may make an adoption order for the purpose of the conversion, in accordance with Article 27 (which relates to conversion of adoptions in the state of origin to adoptions terminating pre-existing legal parent-child relationships), of a Convention adoption that does not have the effect of terminating a pre-existing legal parent-child relationship, into an adoption having that effect, in relation to a child who—

(a) was transferred to the State from the child’s state of origin, in accordance with Article 17 (which relates to when the state of origin may entrust a child to prospective adoptive parents), and

(b) was placed, in accordance with the Hague Convention and this Act, with prospective adopters habitually resident in the State.

(2) The Authority may make an adoption order under subsection (1) only on the application of the adopters of the child and only—

(a) if satisfied that Article 4 (which relates to when an adoption may take place) and the relevant provisions of this Act have been met, and

(b) where the consent of a birth parent of the child is necessary and has not been given, if the High Court has made an order—

(i) under section 31 (3)(b) authorising the Authority to dispense with consent as described in that provision, or

(ii) under section 54 authorising the Authority to make an adoption order in relation to the child.