Section 55 — Care of Children Act 2004: Content and explanation of parenting orders

55 Content and explanation of parenting orders (1) An order under section 48(1) — (a) must contain an explanation, based on the precise terms of the particular order, of— (i) the effect of the order (for example, of the obligations the order creates); and (ii) any processes for the monitoring and review of the order, and the means by which the order can be varied or discharged; and (iii) the consequences that may follow if the order is not complied with; and (b) without limiting paragraph (a) , must be accompanied by general information, in the prescribed form, about the matters stated in paragraph (a)(i) to (iii) . (2) A lawyer acting for, or other person representing, a party to an order under section 48(1) must explain to the party the effect of the order. (3) Explanations required by subsections (1)(a) and (2) must be given in a manner and in language that the recipients of those explanations understand. (4) A lawyer acting for, or other person representing, a child, must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the effect of an order under section 48(1) is explained to the child, to an extent and in a manner and in language that the child understands. (5) A failure to comply with a requirement imposed by this section does not affect the validity of the order concerned. Compare: 1989 No 24 s 10 ; 1995 No 86 s 87