In some circumstances the court can dispense with consent of one or both of the parents. When an application is being made to dispense with the consent of one parent the child must be separately represented by a solicitor. The County Court will not make an adoption order where undue pressure has been applied to the parent or parents of the child who signed the consent. An adoption order cannot be made unless the wishes of the child have been considered if the child is over 12 years of age. If the child is over 12 years of age he or she will be required to sign a consent.
Allowance is made for the age and understanding of the child.
The parents of the child must be informed of the effects of adoption before consent is given. The parent giving consent must receive counselling. Consent for adoption cannot be given until the child is at least 16 days old and must be given in the presence of an adoption counsellor and a court official. After a consent is signed parents have a 28-day period during which they can withdraw their consent. Parents can extend this period for a further 14 days.