• “(2) The definition of child in section 2 is amended by omitting “17” and substituting “18”.

• “(3) The definition of representative is amended by omitting “16 or under” in each place where it appears and substituting in each case “under 18 years”.”

5A Applications by minors

• (1) Section 9 is amended by repealing subsection (2A) and substituting the following subsection:

  • “(2A) A minor who is aged 16 years or 17 years and who wishes to apply for a protection order may either—

    • “(a) make the application on his or her own behalf; or

    • “(b) make the application by a representative.”

  (2) Section 9(3) is amended by omitting “17” and substituting “18”.

  (3) Section 9 is amended by repealing subsection (4) and substituting the following subsections:

  • “(4) A minor who is aged 18 years or over and who wishes to apply for a protection order must make the application on his or her own behalf without a next friend or guardian ad litem.

  • “(5) Subsections (2A) and (4) are subject to sections 11 and 12.

  • “(6) Where a minor makes an application under subsection (2A) or (4), orders may be made on the application, and enforced, as if the minor were of full age.”

5B Applications against minors

• Section 10 is amended by omitting “age of 17” in each place where it appears and substituting in each case “age of 18”.

• (1) Section 16(1) is amended by adding “until that child reaches the age of 18 years, unless the order is sooner discharged”.

• “(1A) The Court, on an application by a child of the applicant's family, must direct that a protection order continues to apply for his or her benefit after he or she has attained the age of 18 years until whichever of the following occurs first:

  • “(a) he or she no longer ordinarily or periodically resides with the applicant; or

  • “(b) the order is discharged by the Court.

• “(1B) An application for a direction under subsection (1A) may be made by—

  • “(a) the child; or

  • “(b) a representative of the child.”

• “(5) A protection order that has not lapsed or been discharged continues to apply for the benefit of a person described in subsection (1) or (2) notwithstanding the death of the applicant.”

11A Applications for property orders by minors

• (1) Section 71(1)(a) is amended by omitting “17” and substituting “18”.

  (2) Section 71(2) is amended by omitting “16 years” and substituting “16 years or 17 years”.

11B Applications for property orders against minors

• Section 72 is amended by omitting “17” in each place where it appears and substituting in each case “18”.