Section 1—Definition of Child.
For purposes of this Act, a child is a person below the age of eighteen years.

Section 2—Welfare Principle.
(1) The best interest of the child shall be paramount in any matter concerning a child.

(2) The best interest of the child shall be the primary consideration by any court, person, institution or other body in any matter concerned with a child.

Section 27—Establishment of Child Panels.
There shall be established in each district such number of Child Panels as the District Assembly may consider necessary.

Section 28—Functions of Child Panels.
A Child Panel shall have non-judicial functions to mediate in criminal and civil matters which concern a child prescribed under this Act.

Section 40—Application for Parentage.
(1) The following persons may apply to a Family Tribunal for an order to confirm the parentage of a child—
(a) the child;
(b) the parent of a child;
(c) the guardian of a child;
(d) a probation officer;
(e) a social welfare officer; or
(f) any other interested person.

(2) The application to the Family Tribunal may be made—
(a) before the child is born; or
(b) within three years after the death of the father or mother of a child; or
(c) before a child is eighteen years of age or after the child has attained that age with special leave of the Family Tribunal.