9.—(1) The functions under the Convention of a Central Authority are to be discharged—
(a)in England, by the Lord Chancellor,
(b)in Wales, by the Welsh Ministers, and
(c)in Northern Ireland, by the Department of Justice,
and a reference in these Regulations to a “Central Authority” means any of the Lord Chancellor, the Welsh Ministers or the Department of Justice in so far as they have functions under this regulation.
(2) If a person outside the United Kingdom does not know to which Central Authority in the United Kingdom a communication should be addressed, the person may address it to the Lord Chancellor.