In this Chapter “adoption” means—
adoption by an adoption order or a Scottish or Northern Irish adoption order,
adoption by an order made in the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands,
an adoption effected under the law of a Convention country outside the British Islands, and certified in pursuance of Article 23(1) of the Convention (referred to in this Act as a “Convention adoption”),
an overseas adoption, or
an adoption recognised by the law of England and Wales and effected under the law of any other country;
and related expressions are to be interpreted accordingly.
But references in this Chapter to adoption do not include an adoption effected before the day on which this Chapter comes into force (referred to in this Chapter as “the appointed day”).
Any reference in an enactment to an adopted person within the meaning of this Chapter includes a reference to an adopted child within the meaning of Part 4 of the Adoption Act 1976 (c. 36).