Commentary on Sections Part 1 – Adoption Chapter 3  - Placement for Adoption and Adoption Orders Section 33: Recovery by parent etc. where application for placement order refused
112.Section 33 applies where a child is placed for adoption under section 19, the local authority’s application for a placement order has been refused and the parent wishes the child to be returned to him (subsection (1)).  The prospective adopters must return the child to the authority on the date set by the court and as soon as they do, the child must be returned to his parent (subsections (2) and (4)).  If the prospective adopters do not do so, they commit an offence and are liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or both (subsection (3)).