Current version (as amended)

Section 13 of the Children Act 1989 , as it currently stands (that is — with any amendments), is as follows:

Change of child’s name or removal from jurisdiction

1. (1)  

   Where a child arrangements order to which subsection (4) applies is in force with respect to a child, no person may —

   1. (a)  cause the child to be known by a new surname; or
   2. (b)  remove him from the United Kingdom;

   without either the written consent of every person who has parental responsibility for the child or the leave of the court.

2. (2)  

   Subsection (1)(b) does not prevent the removal of a child, for a period of less than one month, by a person named in the child arrangements order as a person with whom the child is to live.

3. (3)  

   In making a child arrangements order to which subsection (4) applies, the court may grant the leave required by subsection (1)(b), either generally or for specified purposes.

4. (4)  

   This subsection applies to a child arrangements order if the arrangements regulated by the order consist of, or include, arrangements which relate to either or both of the following —

   1. (a)  with whom the child concerned is to live, and
   2. (b)  when the child is to live with any person.

Meaning of terms

Certain terms in the Children Act 1989 have a specific meaning which is defined in the Act:

• “Child” means, subject to paragraph 16  of Schedule 1 , a person under the age of 18.

• “Child Arrangements Order” means an order regulating arrangements relating to any of the following —

  1. (a) with whom a child is to live, spend time or otherwise have contact, and
  2. (b) when a child is to live, spend time or otherwise have contact with any person;

  — under section 8.

• “Parental responsibility” means all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which by law a parent of a child has in relation to the child and his property (as defined in section 3 ).