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Updated to 23 October 2025 (Act No. 10 of 2025 and S.I. No. 506 of 2025)

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Guardianship of Infants Act 1964
No. 7 of 1964

Contents

Commencement

Section Commencement/Effective Date
Where the commencement and effective dates differ, the effective date is shown below.
 Commencement Information
Whole Act 25 March 1964 Commenced on enactment

Amendments and other effects

How AffectedAffecting Provision
Power of court to discharge certain orders 6/2018, ss. 1(2), 21(3)(c)
Proceedings under included in definition of family law proceedings 27/2017, ss. 1(2), 2(1)
Cir. Ct. to be known as "the Circuit Family Court" when exercising its jurisdiction under etc. 6/1989, ss. 31, 46(2)
Conduct of Dist. Ct. proceedings under. 6/1989, ss. 45, 46(2)
  S.I. No. 141 of 1982, rls. 2, 4, 5
Conduct of proceedings in Circ. and High Cts. 6/1989, ss. 33, 46(2)
Hearing of proceedings under 6/1989, ss. 30, 32, 46(2)
Conduct of family law proceedings informal 6/1989, ss. 45, 46(2)
Constr. amended prosp., as to juris. of cert. cts. under. 11/1981, ss. 15(2), 33(3)
Costs of mediation etc. under. 33/1996, ss. 1(2), 43
Ct. powers in proceedings under. 26/1995, ss. 1(2)(a), 47(1), (6)(a)
Court fees excluded for proceedings under S.I. No. 492 of 2014, arts. 1(2), 6(1)(d)(ii)(col. cit.)
  S.I. No. 491 of 2014, arts. 1(2), 3
  S.I. No. 24 of 2014, arts. 1(2), 6(1)(d)(ii)(col. cit.)
  S.I. No. 23 of 2014, arts. 1(2), 3
  S.I. No. 22 of 2014, arts. 1(2), 3
  S.I. No. 466 of 2013, arts. 1(2), 5(1)(d)(ii)(col. cit.)
  S.I. No. 241 of 2013, arts. 1(2), 3
  S.I. No. 240 of 2013, arts. 1(2), 3
  S.I. No. 239 of 2013, arts. 1(2), 6(1)(d)(ii)(col. cit.)
  S.I. No. 110 of 2012, arts. 1(2), 6(1)(d)(ii)(col. cit.)
  S.I. No. 109 of 2012, arts. 1(2), 3
  S.I. No. 108 of 2012, arts. 1(2), 3
  S.I. No. 408 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3
  S.I. No. 407 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3
  S.I. No. 406 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 6(c)(ii)(col. cit.)
  S.I. No. 200 of 2008, arts. 1(2), 6(1)(c)(ii)(col. cit.)
  S.I. No. 70 of 2005, art. 7(1)(c)(ii)(col. cit.)
  S.I. No. 444 of 2004, arts. 1(2), 7(c)(i)(col. cit.)
  S.I. No. 89 of 2003, arts. 1(2), 7(1)(col. cit.)
  S.I. No. 488 of 2001, arts. 1(2), 7(1)(col. cit.)
  S.I. No. 369 of 1997, arts. 2, 5(a)(i)
  S.I. No. 343 of 1989, arts. 2, 6
  S.I. No. 342 of 1989, arts. 2, 5
  S.I. No. 341 of 1989, arts, 2, 8
  S.I. No. 21 of 1984, art. 5
  S.I. No. 20 of 1984, art. 4 and sch. part XI
  S.I. No. 45 of 1982, art. 5, as substituted by S.I. No. 207 of 1983, art. 5
  S.I. No. 44 of 1982, arts. 2, 7
  S.I. No. 43 of 1982, arts. 2, 8
  S.I. No. 13 of 1974, arts. 2, 4
Form prescribed S.I. No. 158 of 1982, ord. 68, rl. 6
Forms and procedures prescribed S.I. No. 510 of 2001
Refs. to "infant" etc. to be construed as refs. to "child" etc. 40/1997, ss. 1(2)(3), 12
Saving for cert. refs., etc. in. 2/1985, ss. 2(4), 9(4)
S. 2 substituted 26/1987, ss. 1(2)(b), 9
  40/1997, ss. 1(2), 4
S.2, def. ext. 37/2000, ss. 3(2)(e), 19(2)
S. 2(1) amended 18/2024, ss. 1(5), 227(a)(i), (ii), (iii)
  9/2015, ss. 1(5), 43(a)
S. 2(1), def. of "adoption order" substit. 21/2010, ss. 2, 162
S. 2(4)(c) am. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 43(b)(i)
S. 2(4)(d) del. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 43(b)(ii)
S. 2(4)(e) form prescribed S.I. No. 5 of 1998, regs. 2, 3, schedule
S. 2(4A) ins. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 43(c)
S. 2A ins. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 44
S. 3 substit. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 45
S. 3 appl. 21/2010, ss. 2, 51(3)
S. 3A ins. 26/1987, ss. 1(2)(b), 10
S. 5 am. 11/1981, ss. 15(1)(a), 33(3)
S. 5(1) amended 48/2024, ss. 1(2), 73(a)(i)
S. 5(2) substituted 48/2024, ss. 1(2), 73(a)(ii)
S. 5(2) am. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 46
  20/1991, ss. 12, 23(3)
S.5(2) am. with saving 15/2002, ss. 1(2), 21
S.6 saving for rights. under 24/2010, s. 113(2) as inserted by 9/2015, s. 151(2)
  33/1996, ss. 1(2), 10(2)
S. 6(1) substit. 35/2015, ss. 1(2), 16(a)(i)
S. 6(1)(a) amended 18/2024, ss. 1(5), 227(b)(i)(I)
S. 6(1)(b) amended 18/2024, ss. 1(5), 227(b)(i)(II)
S. 6(1)(c) inserted 18/2024, ss. 1(5), 227(b)(i)(III)
S. 6(1A) ins. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 47(a)
S. 6(1B) inserted 18/2024, ss. 1(5), 227(b)(ii)
S. 6(3A) ins. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 47(b)
S. 6(3B) ins. 35/2015, ss. 1(2), 16(a)(ii)
S. 6(3C), (3D) inserted 18/2024, ss. 1(5), 227(b)(iii)
S. 6(4) amended 18/2024, ss. 1(5), 227(b)(iv)
S. 6(4) substit. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 47(c)
  40/1997, ss. 1(2), 5
  26/1987, ss. 1(2)(b), 11
S. 6(5) ins. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 47(d)
S. 6A ins. 26/1987, ss. 1(2)(b), 12
S. 6A substit. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 48
S. 6A procedure S.I. No. 312 of 2007, rule 1(4)
  S.I. No. 152 of 1990, rule 5
  S.I. No. 97 of 1990, rls. 19, 15
S. 6A forms prescribed S.I. No. 93 of 1997, ord. 58, rl. 4(1), forms 58.1-3, sch. C
  S.I. No. 152 of 1988, rls. 2, 6, schedule, pt. 1
S. 6A(1) subsec. substit. 40/1997, ss. 1(2), 6(a)
S. 6A(3) subsec. del. 40/1997, ss. 1(2), 6(b)
Ss. 6B-6F ins. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 49
S. 6B guardianship rights under unaffected by decree of dissolution 24/2010, s. 113(2) as inserted by 9/2015, s. 151(2)
S. 6B(1) am. 35/2015, ss. 1(2), 16(b)
S. 6BA inserted 18/2024, ss. 1(5), 227(c)
S. 6BA(3) amended 48/2024, ss. 1(2), 73(b)
S. 6BB inserted 18/2024, ss. 1(5), 227(c)
S. 6BB(3) amended 48/2024, ss. 1(2), 73(c)
S. 6D(1)(a) amended S.I. No. 400 of 2022, regs. 1(2), 8(a)
S. 6D(3) amended S.I. No. 400 of 2022, regs. 1(2), 8(b)(i)-(iii)
S. 7 substit. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 50
S. 7 enforcement of orders under 26/1986, ss. 5, 10(5)
S. 7(4) form prescribed S.I. No. 93 of 1997, ord. 58, rl. 4(2), forms 58.4- 58.7, sch. C
  S.I. No. 141 of 1982, rls. 2, 6
S. 7(7) rep. with savings 27/1965, ss. 8, 9, sch. 2, pt. 4
Ss. 7, 8, power to make care orders under 17/1991, ss. 1(2), 20(1)
S. 8(1) form prescribed S.I. No. 93 of 1997, ord. 58, rl. 4(3), forms 58.8, 58.9, sch. C
  S.I. No. 141 of 1982, rls. 2, 7
S. 8(2) form prescribed S.I. No. 93 of 1997, ord. 58, rl. 4(4), forms 58.10, 58.11, sch. C
  S.I. No. 141 of 1982, rls. 2, 8
S. 8(4), applic. ext. 37/2000, ss. 3(2)(e), 19(2)
S. 8(4) substit. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 51(a)
  40/1997, ss. 1(2), 7
S. 8(4) form prescribed S.I. No. 93 of 1997, ord. 58, rl. 4(5)(i), forms 58.12, 58.14, sch. C
  S.I. No. 141 of 1982, rls. 2, 9
S. 8(5) form prescribed S.I. No. 93 of 1997, ord. 58, rl. 4(5)(i), forms 58.12, 58.14, sch. C
  S.I. No. 93 of 1997, ord. 58, rl. 4(5)(ii), forms 58.13, 58.15, sch. C
  S.I. No. 141 of 1982, rls. 2, 9
S. 8(6)-(7) ins. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 51(b)
S. 8A ins. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 52
S. 10(2)(b) age of 21 years construed as full age (18 years) 2/1985, s. 2(3)
S. 11 application extended 6/2018, ss. 1(2), 15(1), (2)(a)
S. 11 appl. 26/1995, ss. 1(2)(a), 6(b), 10(1)(f)
S. 11 power to make care order under 17/1991, ss. 1(2), 20(1)
S. 11 power to make order under 33/1996, ss. 1(2), 5(2), 11(b), 15(1)(f), 25(a)
  6/1989, ss. 3(3), 11(b), 16(g), 46(2)
S. 11 enforcement of orders under 26/1986, ss. 5, 10(5)
S. 11 form prescribed S.I. No. 93 of 1997, ord. 58, rl. 5, forms 58.16, 58.17, sch. C
  S.I. No. 141 of 1982, rls. 2, 10
S. 11(2) substituted 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 53(a)
S. 11(2)(b) power to stay order under 33/1996, ss. 1(2), 25(a)
S. 11(3) substituted 2/1985, ss. 6(a), 9
S. 11(4) substituted 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 53(b)
  26/1987, ss. 1(2)(b), 13
S. 11(4) procedure 21/2010 s. 17(3)(b)(i)
  S.I. No. 97 of 1990, rls. 19, 15
S. 11(5) inserted 2/1985, ss. 6(a), 9
S. 11(5) substituted 40/1997, ss. 1(2), 8
S. 11(5)-(9) subsecs. inserted 6/1989, ss. 40, 46(2)
S. 11(6) inserted 40/1997, ss. 1(2), 8
S. 11(10) ins. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 53(c)
Ss. 11A-11D ins. 40/1997, ss. 1(2), 9
S. 11A am. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 54
S. 11B enforcement of orders under 26/1986, ss. 5, 10(5)
S. 11B(1) amended 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 120(a)
S. 11B(1)(b) substit. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 55(a)
S. 11B(2) del. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 55(b)
S. 11B(3) amended 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 120(b)(i)
S. 11B(3)(b) amended 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 120(b)(ii)
S. 11B(3)(c) am. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 55(c)(i)
S. 11B(3)(d)-(e) ins. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 52(c)(ii)
S. 11B(3)(e) amended 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 120(b)(iii)
S. 11D am. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 56
S. 11E ins. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 57
S. 12 form prescribed S.I. No. 93 of 1997, ord. 58, rl. 6, forms 58.18, 58.19, sch. C
  S.I. No. 141 of 1982, rls. 2, 11
S. 12A ins. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 58
Part 3 (ss. 13-18) power to make care order under 17/1991, ss. 1(2), 20(1)
S. 13 amended 48/2024, ss. 1(2), 73(d)
  11/1981, ss. 15(1)(b), 33(3)
Part 3 (ss. 13-18) form prescribed S.I. No. 93 of 1997, ord. 58, rl. 7, forms 58.21-24, sch. C
  S.I. No. 141 of 1982, rls. 2, 12
S. 15 s. 42/2004, ss. 3(1), 75, sch. 7, pt. 2
S. 15(b) amended 17/1991, ss. 1(2), 76
S. 15(2) amended 40/2013, ss. 1(2), 97, sch. 2 pt. 1 item 1
S. 15(2)(c) substituted 40/2013, ss. 1(2), 97, sch. 2 pt. 1 item 1
S.16(b) amended 40/2013, ss. 1(2), 97, sch. 2 pt. 1 item 1
  17/1991, ss. 1(2), 77
  42/2004, ss. 3(1), 75, sch. 7, pt. 2
S.17(2) subsec. del. 40/1997, ss. 1(2), 10
S.18 amended prosp. 11/1981, ss. 15(1)(c), 33(3)
S.18(1) repealed prosp. with saver. 6/1989, ss. 41(3), 46(2)
S. 18(2) am. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 59
Ss. 18A-18D ins. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 60
Part 4 (ss. 19-30) inserted 40/1997, ss. 1(3)(4), 11
S. 19 inserted 40/1997, ss. 1(3)(4), 11
S. 20 inserted 40/1997, ss. 1(3)(4), 11
S. 20(2)(b) amended 27/2017, ss. 1(2), 24(a)(i)
S. 20(3)(a) amended 27/2017, ss. 1(2), 24(a)(ii)
S. 20(3)(b) amended 27/2017, ss. 1(2), 24(a)(iii)
S. 20(4) amended 27/2017, ss. 1(2), 24(a)(iii)
s. 21 inserted 40/1997, ss. 1(3)(4), 11
S. 21(2)(b) amended 27/2017, ss. 1(2), 24(b)(i)
S. 21(3)(a) amended 27/2017, ss. 1(2), 24(b)(ii)
S. 21(3)(b) amended 27/2017, ss. 1(2), 24(b)(iii)
S. 21(4) amended 27/2017, ss. 1(2), 24(b)(iii)
S. 22 inserted 40/1997, ss. 1(3)(4), 11
S. 23 inserted 40/1997, ss. 1(3)(4), 11
S. 23 renumbered as subs. (1) 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 61(a)
S. 23(2), (3) ins. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 61(b)
S. 24 inserted 40/1997, ss. 1(3)(4), 11
S. 25 inserted 40/1997, ss. 1(3)(4), 11
S. 26 amended 48/2024, ss. 1(2), 73(e)
S. 26 inserted 40/1997, ss. 1(3)(4), 11
S. 27 inserted 40/1997, ss. 1(3)(4), 11
S. 27(1) am. 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 62
S. 28 inserted 40/1997, ss. 1(3)(4), 11
S. 29 amended 27/2017, ss. 1(2), 24(c)
S. 30 inserted 40/1997, ss. 1(3)(4), 11
S. 30(1) amended 48/2024, ss. 1(2), 73(f)(i)
S. 30(2) deleted 48/2024, ss. 1(2), 73(f)(ii)
Part 5 (ss. 31-32) inserted 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 63
S. 32(6)(a) maximum fee prescribed S.I. No. 587 of 2018, regs. 1(2), 7(a)
  S.I. No. 587 of 2018, regs. 1(2), 8(a)
  S.I. No. 587 of 2018, regs. 1(2), 9(a)
S. 32(6)(b) maximum fee prescribed S.I. No. 587 of 2018, regs. 1(2), 7(b)
  S.I. No. 587 of 2018, regs. 1(2), 9(b)
S. 32(6)(c) maximum fee prescribed S.I. No. 587 of 2018, regs. 1(2), 8(b)
  S.I. No. 587 of 2018, regs. 1(2), 9(c)
S. 32(7) maximum fee prescribed S.I. No. 587 of 2018, regs. 1(2), 10
S. 32(10) application of regulations made under extended 6/2018, ss. 1(2), 27(6)

SIs made under the Act

SectionSIs made under the Act
S. 2(4)(e) Guardianship of Children (Statutory Declaration) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 210 of 2020)
  Guardianship of Children (Statutory Declaration) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 5 of 1998)
S. 6A Circuit Court Rules (No. 1) 1990 (S.I. No. 152 of 1990)
S. 6B(4)(c) Guardianship of Children (Statutory Declaration) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 210 of 2020)
S. 32(10) Guardianship of Infants Act 1964 (Child’s Views Expert) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 587 of 2018)