Section 18 - Notification to local authority of adoption application
77.By virtue of this section, where a child was not placed for adoption by an adoption agency, an adoption order cannot be made unless the prospective adopters have given notice of their intention to apply for such an order at least 3 months before the date on which the order is made. Notice must be given to the local authority within whose area they have their home, or, where the applicants do not have a home in Scotland, to any local authority.