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Elements of Child Law in the Commonwealth Caribbean
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ELEMENTS OF CHILD LAW IN THE COMMONWEALTH CARIBBEAN Zanifa McDowell
UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES PRESS Barbados * Jamaica • Trinidad and Tobago
The University of the West Indies Press 1A Aqueduct Flats Mona Kingston 7 Jamaica ©2000 by Zanifa McDowell All rights reserved. Published 2000 ISBN 976-640-085-7 04 03 02 01 00 5 4 3 2 1 CATALOGUING IN PUBLICATION DATA McDowell, Zanifa Elements of Child Law in the Commonwealth Caribbean / Zanifa McDowell
p.cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN: 976-640-085-7 1. Children - legal status, laws, etc. - Caribbean, English-speaking. 2. Children's rights - Caribbean, English-speaking. 3. Conflict of laws - Illegitimacy Caribbean, English-speaking. 4. Custody of children Caribbean, English-speaking. 5. Adoption - Law and legislation - Caribbean, English-speaking. 6. Parent and child (Law) - Caribbean, English-speaking. I. Title. KGJ160.A37M24
2000
Set in Stone Informal, 10/14pt Book and cover design by Alan Ross Printed in USA
346.01
To my children, Kimberley, sheri and Sasha, the memory of my mother, Isha, and for my husband, Sean
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Contents
Preface and Acknowledgments / xii List of Cases / xv List of Statutes / xxiii CHAPTER 1
Scope of the Law Relating to Children / 1
Introduction / 1 Legal Regimes / 2 English Basis of Regional Family Law / 3 General Content of the Law Relating to Children / 4 Definition of Child / 5 Legal Position of Foetus / 6 Relevant Legislation Regulating Abortions / 9 Convention on the Rights of the Child / 10 Legal Disabilities or Incapacities of Children / 13 Contractual Disability / 13 Sale and Lease of Property Belonging to Infants / 15 Settlement of Infant's Property / 15 Parties to Legal Proceedings / 15 Testamentary Capacity / 16 Trustees and Executors / 16 Liability for Tort / 17 Liability for Crime I 17
VIM • CONTENTS
Limitation Periods / 18 Laws Affecting Children Generally / 18 Status of Children: Legitimate versus Illegitimate / 19 The Illegitimate Child under the Common Law / 20 Social Reality / 27 Effect of Status of Children Legislation / 28 Perpetuation of Old Discriminations / 29 CHAPTER 2
The Presumption of Legitimacy / 33 Introduction / 33 Statutory Presumptions / 34 Common Law Presumption / 35 Rebuttal of Presumption of Legitimacy / 36 Absence of Sexual Relations /37 Scientific Evidence / 38
CHAPTER 3
Legitimation by Statute / 44 Introduction / 44 Void Marriages / 45 Voidable Marriages / 46 Legitimation by Subsequent Marriage / 49 Effects of Legitimation: Personal Rights and Obligations/Property Rights / 50 Registration Procedure for Legitimation / 51 Legitimation by Adoption / 52 Repeal of Legitimacy/Legitimation Acts / 53
CHAPTER 4
Status of Children Legislation / 55 Introduction / 55 Content of the Legislation / 57 Equality of Status / 58 Persons and Property Subject to the Acts / 59 Presumptions of Paternity or Parenthood / 61 Balance of Probabilities Test / 65 Blood Tests / 67 Who May Apply for Declaration of Paternity / 71 Legal Effect of Declaration of Paternity / 72 Abolition of Old Rule of Construction / 73 Retention of Discriminatory Provisions / 74 Judicial Interpretation of the Legislation / 75 Assessment of the Legislation / 76
CONTENTS • ix
CHAPTER 5
Parental Rights and Duties/ 78 Introduction / 78 Persons Having Parental Rights and Duties / 80 Composition of Parental Rights and Duties / 82 Rights and Duties Laid down by Statute / 82 Custody, Care and Control / 83 Education / 83 Right to Administer Punishment / 84 Duty to Maintain / 85 Duty to Protect Child / 85 Penalties for Failure to Observe Duties / 86 The Welf