The Protection Of The Child—Part 2

In our issue, Protection of the Child Part I we looked at the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). In this issue we will consider the Child Protection Act.

The Child Protection Act 2007 in essence harmonizes the provisions of UNCRC with our domestic law and brought under one umbrella several pieces of legislation regarding children.

The Act sets out the guiding principle that whenever a determination has to be made with respect to the upbringing of the child or the administration of the child's property or the application of any income arising from it, the welfare of the child shall be the paramount consideration. In determining any question in relation to circumstances set out aforesaid, the court or any other person must have regard to the following:

The wishes and feelings of the child; The child's physical, emotional and educational needs; The likely effects of any changes in the child's circumstances; The child's...