39BNotice of application for adoption order

39B Notice of application for adoption order (1) An adoption order must not be made unless the applicant has, not later than 28 days before the return date for the application, served written notice of the application and its return date on— (a) anyone whose consent to the adoption is required but whose consent has not been given; and (b) anyone whose consent is not required but with whom the child or young person lives or who has guardianship or custody of the child or young person. (2) On application, the court may dispense with the requirement to serve notice under subsection (1). (3) If it appears to the court to be necessary in the interests of justice, the court may, on application or its own initiative, direct that notice of an application for an adoption order and its return date be served on anyone.