Commentary on Sections Chapter 2 .The Adoption Process Section 22 - Restrictions on removal: application for adoption order pending
88.By virtue of subsections (1), (2) and (3), where an application for an adoption order has been made to the court, but the court has not yet made a determination, and where the child’s home during the 5 year period preceding the adoption application has been with the prospective adopters, a child cannot be removed from the home of the prospective adopters unless the prospective adopters agree to the removal; the court grants leave for removal; the child is arrested; or removal is authorised by an enactment. Subsection (4) makes it an offence to remove a child in breach of subsection (2). Such an offence is punishable by imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months, a fine not exceeding level 5, or both.