(1)An adoption order may be granted to a sole applicant or jointly to spouses where—

(2)The court may dispense with the consent required under subsection (1) (b) if the spouse whose consent is required cannot be found or is incapable of giving consent, or the spouses are separated and living apart and the separation is likely to be permanent.

(3)An adoption order shall not be made in favour of a sole male applicant in respect of a female child, or in favour of a sole female applicant in respect of a male child, unless the court is satisfied that there are special circumstances that justify, as an exceptional measure, the making of an adoption order.

(4)The application shall not be considered unless the applicant has fostered the child for a period of not less than twelve months under the supervision of a probation and social welfare officer.

(5)The probation and social welfare officer shall be required to submit a report to assist the court in considering the application; and the court may, in addition, require some other person or the local authority to make a report in respect of the adoption application.

(6)Except where the application is by spouses jointly, an adoption order shall not be made authorising more than one person to adopt a child at the same time.