The Rules of the Supreme Court (Northern Ireland) (Revision) 1980

Application to make minor a ward of court

3.—(1) An application to make a minor a ward of court must be made by originating summons issued out of the Office.

(2) Where there is no person other than the minor who is a suitable respondent, an application may be made ex parte to the Master for leave to issue either an ex parte originating summons or an originating summons with the minor as respondent thereto; and, except where such leave is granted, the minor shall not be made a respondent to an originating summons under this rule in the first instance.

(3) The date of the minor's birth shall, unless otherwise directed, be stated in the summons and the applicant shall—

(a) on issuing the summons or before or at the first hearing thereof lodge in the Office a certified copy of the full entry in the Register of Births or, as the case may be, in the Adopted Children Register relating to the minor, or

(b) at the first hearing of the summons apply for directions as to proof of birth of the minor in some other manner.

(4) Unless the Court otherwise directs, the summons shall state the whereabouts of the minor or, as the case may be, that the applicant is unaware of his whereabouts and shall be served on the respondent, the Director of the Health and Social Services Board for the area in which the minor ordinarily resides (except where the Director is the applicant) and on such other person or persons as the Master may direct.

(5) Every respondent other than the minor shall, forthwith after being served with the summons—

(a) lodge in the Office a notice stating the address of the respondent and the whereabouts of the minor or, as the case may be, that the respondent is unaware of his whereabouts, and

(b) unless the Court otherwise directs, serve a copy of the notice on the applicant.

(6) Where any party other than the minor changes his address or becomes aware of any change in the whereabouts of the minor after the issue or, as the case may be, service of the summons, he shall, unless the Court otherwise directs, forthwith lodge notice of the change in the Office and serve a copy of the notice on every other party.

(7) The summons shall contain a notice to the respondent informing him of the requirements of paragraphs (5) and (6).

(8) In this rule any reference to the whereabouts of a minor is a reference to the address at which and the person with whom he is living and any other information relevant to the question where he may be found.