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Hearing of applications.
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16.—(1) The following persons and no other persons shall be entitled to be heard on an application for an adoption order—
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(a) the applicants,
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(b) the mother of the child,
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(c) the guardian of the child,
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(d) a person having charge of or control over the child,
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(e) a relative of the child,
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(f) a representative of a registered adoption society which is or has been at any time concerned with the child,
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(g) a priest or minister of a religion recognised by the Constitution (or, in the case of any such religion which has no ministry, an authorised representative of the religion) where the child or a parent (whether alive or dead) is claimed to be or to have been of that religion,
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(h) an officer of the Board,
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(i) any other person whom the Board, in its discretion, decides to hear.
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(2) A person who is entitled to be heard may be represented by counsel or solicitor.
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(3) The Board may hear the application wholly or partly in private.
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(4) Where the Board has notice of proceedings pending in any court of justice in regard to the custody of a child in respect of whom an application is before the Board, the Board shall make no order in the matter until the proceedings have been disposed of,
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