Comments on: If you’ve got a blacklist, I want to be on it

By: Tabitha

Tabitha — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 00:57:33 +0000

Oops! In true Tabitha form, I forgot to point out that the NIAA was a Nationality, Immigration and Asylum bill that covered various aspects of British law. Section 9 was the part that dealt exclusively with legitimacy of a child and adding the verbiage about what satisfies the “prescribed requirements as to proof of paternity.”

Many might be familiar with Section 13 of the same bill, which gave that cruel cut off date of Feb 7, 1961 for children born to British mothers. It is only the children born after this date that can acquire a UK passport. Those born prior to the date are completely excluded.

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 20:31:21 +0000

jinkies. thanks for the info!

By: Tabitha

Tabitha — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 01:53:08 +0000

The purpose of the NIAA 2002 was to remove the word “illegitimate” from the BNA 1981. This would give all children born out of wedlock to British fathers the ability to now acquire a UK passport. Something they couldn’t do in the past.

First off, section 9 wasn’t implemented until 2006, four years after the NIAA was given royal assent! Second, Byrne ended up giving the start date of July 1, 2006 as the start date. Lastly, this is not retrospective, so children born out of wedlock to British fathers can benefit only if they are born after the July 2006 implementation date.

Already, the news has reported of at least one child being stateless. Google the name “William Watrin Cattrall” and you’ll see what I mean.

Here’s a copy of the NIAA:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2002/20020041.htm

Here’s the Section 9 verbiage: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2002/20041–b.htm#9

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 21:20:29 +0000

interesting – tell me more about “Section 9 of the NIAA”? I admit, I’m in the dark on that one.

By: Tabitha

Tabitha — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 16:48:29 +0000

Color me not surprised. I’ve dealt with Byrne before, throughout his disappointing decision regarding the implementation of Section 9 of the NIAA. Even Lord Avebury was perplexed.