Wardship & orders under the inherent jurisdiction

The High Court has a duty to protect children who have been removed from their parents or are considered at risk, vulnerable or in danger. It is the duty of the court under its inherent jurisdiction to ensure that a child who is the subject of proceedings is protected and properly taken care of and protected.

Although not widely used since the introduction of the Children Act 1989, wardships can be granted for complex or unusual cases where the court can exercise its inherent jurisdiction to make any order or determine any issue in respect of a child, effectively becoming the child’s legal guardian.