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Child Care Act 1991
Power of court to join child as a party and costs of child as a party.
25.—(1) If in any proceedings under Part IV F242[, IVA (as amended by the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011)] or VI the child to whom the proceedings relate is not already a party, the court may, where it is satisfied having regard to the age, understanding and wishes of the child and the circumstances of the case that it is necessary in the interests of the child and in the interests of justice to do so, order that the child be joined as a party to, or shall have such of the rights of a party as may be specified by the court in, either the entirety of the proceedings or such issues in the proceedings as the court may direct. The making of any such order shall not require the intervention of a next friend in respect of the child.
(2) Where the court makes an order under subsection (1) or a child is a party to the proceedings otherwise than by reason of such an order, the court may, if it thinks fit, appoint a solicitor to represent the child in the proceedings and give directions as to the performance of his duties (which may include, if necessary, directions in relation to the instruction of counsel).
(3) The making of an order under subsection (1) or the fact that a child is a party to the proceedings otherwise than by reason of such an order shall not prejudice the power of the court under section 30(2) to refuse to accede to a request of a child made thereunder.
(4) Where a solicitor is appointed under subsection (2), the costs and expenses incurred on behalf of a child exercising any rights of a party in any proceedings under this Act shall be paid by the F243[Child and Family Agency] F244[the F245[Agency]] may apply to the court to have the amount of any such costs or expenses measured or taxed.
(5) The court which has made an order under subsection (2) may, on the application to it of F244[the F243[Child and Family Agency]], order any other party to the proceedings in question to pay to F244[the F245[Agency]] any costs or expenses payable by F244[the F245[Agency]] under subsection (4).
F246[(6) In this section, where the proceedings are proceedings under Part IVA (as amended by the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011), "court" means the High Court.]
Annotations
Amendments:
F242
Inserted (31.12.2017) by Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011 (19/2011), s. 12(a) and (b), S.I. No. 637 of 2017.
F243
Substituted (1.01.2014) by Child and Family Agency Act 2013 (40/2013), s. 97 and sch. 2 part 4 item 1, S.I. No. 502 of 2013.
F244
Substituted (1.01.2005) by Health Act 2004 (42/2004), s. 75 and sch. 7, part 6, item 38, S.I. No. 887 of 2004.
F245
Substituted (1.01.2014) by Child and Family Agency Act 2013 (40/2013), s. 97 and sch. 2 part 4 item 2, S.I. No. 502 of 2013.
F246
Inserted (31.12.2017) by Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011 (19/2011), s. 12(a) and (b), S.I. No. 637 of 2017.
F247
Substituted by Family Courts Act 2024 (48/2024), s. 80(n), not commenced as of date of revision.
Modifications (not altering text):
C61
Prospective affecting provision: section applied with modifications by Mental Health Act 2026 (11/2026), s. 60(1), (2)(a), (2)(j), not commenced as of date of revision.
60. (1) Sections 21, 22, 24, 24A, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 35A to 35Q, 37 and 47 of the Act of 1991 shall, subject to the modifications specified in subsection (2), apply to proceedings under this Part as they apply to proceedings to which those sections apply.
(2) The modifications referred to in subsection (1) are as follows:
(a) references in a section specified in that subsection to proceedings or an order under Part III, IV, IVA, IVB, V, VA or VI of the Act of 1991 shall be construed as references to proceedings or an order under this Part;
…
(j) any other necessary modifications.
…
C62
Prospective affecting provision: subs. (6) amended by Family Courts Act 2024 (48/2024), s. 80(n), not commenced as of date of revision.
F246[(6) In this section, where the proceedings are proceedings under Part IVA (as amended by the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011), "court" means the F247[Family High Court].]
Editorial Notes:
E102
Previous affecting provision: “Health Service Executive” substituted (1.01.2005) for “health board” in subs. (4) by Health Act 2004 (42/2004), s. 75 and sch. 7 part 6 item 38, S.I. No. 887 of 2004; substituted as per F-note above.