FAS v Secretary of State for the Home Department & Anor

FAS v Secretary of State for the Home Department & Anor

The appeal is dismissed because MW was not a minor at the time of the adoption order application, so section 1(5) of the British Nationality Act 1981 does not confer citizenship. The welfare benefits associated with citizenship cannot be considered, and there is no other relevant benefit to justify making the adoption order.

Parties
Appellant: FAS; First Respondent: Secretary of State for the Home Department; Second Respondent: Bradford Metropolitan District Council
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
05 October 2015
Procedural Posture
Appeal / Judgment
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Adoption, British Citizenship, Immigration Controls, Interpretation of Statutes

Case Brief

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Parties

FAS

Appellant

Secretary of State for the Home Department

First Respondent

Bradford Metropolitan District Council

Second Respondent

Procedural Posture

Appeal / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether an adoption order can be made for MW under the Adoption and Children Act 2002
  2. 2 Whether such an order would confer British citizenship under section 1(5) of the British Nationality Act 1981
  3. 3 Proper interpretation of section 1(2) of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 regarding welfare throughout the child's life

Ratio Decidendi

The appeal is dismissed because MW was not a minor at the time of the adoption order application, so section 1(5) of the British Nationality Act 1981 does not confer citizenship. The welfare benefits associated with citizenship cannot be considered, and there is no other relevant benefit to justify making the adoption order.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed