See also Part 12, Practice Direction 12A, Practice Direction 12B, Practice Direction 12C, Practice Direction 12D, Practice Direction 12E, Practice Direction 12F, Practice Direction 12G, Practice Direction 12H, Practice Direction 12I, Practice Direction 12J, Practice Direction 12K, Practice Direction 12L, Practice Direction 12M, Practice Direction 12N, Practice Direction 12O

PRACTICE DIRECTION 12P – REMOVAL FROM JURISDICTION: ISSUE OF PASSPORTS

Contents of this Practice Direction

Removal from jurisdiction

1.1

The President has directed that on application for leave to remove from the jurisdiction for holiday periods a ward of court who has been placed by a local authority with foster-parents whose identity the court considers should remain confidential, for example because they are prospective adopters, it is important that such foster-parents should not be identified in the court’s order. In such cases the order should be expressed as giving leave to the local authority to arrange for the child to be removed from England and Wales for the purpose of holidays.

1.2

It is also considered permissible, where care and control has been given to a local authority, or to an individual, for the court to give general leave to make such arrangements in suitable cases, thereby obviating the need to make application for leave each time it is desired to remove the child from the jurisdiction.

Issue of Passports

2.1

It is the practice of the Passport Department of the Home Office to issue passports for wards in accordance with the court’s direction. This frequently results in passports being restricted to the holiday period specified in the order giving leave. It is the President’s opinion that it is more convenient for wards’ passports to be issued without such restriction.

2.2

The Passport Department has agreed to issue passports on this basis unless the court otherwise directs. It will, of course, still be necessary for the leave of the court to be obtained for the child’s removal.