3.The Act:
	amends the Adoption Act 1976 ("the 1976 Act") and the Adoption (Scotland) Act 1978 ("the 1978 Act") in respect of intercountry adoption;
	enables the United Kingdom to ratify the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption; this was concluded at the Hague on 29 May 1993 on behalf of Great Britain and will be implemented mainly in regulations. Northern Ireland intends to introduce legislation at a later date to give effect to the Convention;
	introduces sanctions to deal with unacceptable practices in intercountry adoption.
Summary