This order establishes the legal framework for the admissibility of hearsay evidence in proceedings concerning children within the United Kingdom. The document is a statutory instrument issued by the British government, designed to clarify the conditions under which out-of-court statements may be introduced as evidence in family court settings. It provides the procedural rules necessary to balance the need for relevant information with the rights of the parties involved in sensitive legal matters.

Legal professionals and scholars utilize this order as a foundational regulatory text for understanding the specific evidentiary standards applied in family courts. It is recognized as a technical document intended for practitioners and researchers requiring precise knowledge of the 1990 legislative framework.