17 July 2026
Today the Chief Justice reissued Practice Note SC Eq 13 – Adoptions, with a commencement date of 17 July 2026.
The revised Practice Note includes the following changes:
- Amendment to paragraph 10(g) to include a copy of the child’s birth certificate amongst the documents to be filed by the plaintiff.
- Amendments to paragraph 10(k) to require that the Adoption Matter Summary form include a photograph of the child and a summary of their wishes.
- Amendments to paragraphs 30 and 43 to require that written submissions address the views of the child, including any change in views over time and their views as at the date of the final hearing.
- Expansion of the former paragraph 52 into new paragraphs 52–59, providing further detail on the process for applying to review an adoption plan, including those who can apply, the evidence required to support such an application and the function of the interim hearing.
- Addition of paragraphs 60–67, outlining the process for proceedings concerning registered adoption plans, including those who can apply, the evidence required to support such an application and the function of the interim hearing.
The reissued Practice Note will be published on the Supreme Court website and will be submitted for gazettal.
Download a copy of the revised Practice Note in Word (DOCX, 97.3 KB) and PDF (PDF, 286.6 KB) format.
