lication, and ensured that they are able to obtain legal advice if necessary. If there are unresolved issues such as disputes over contact arrangements, there is a greater risk that birth parents will take the opportunity of the adoption application to raise issues that concern them or, possibly, seek leave to oppose the application. 134 Children freed for adoption under the Adoption Act 1976 8.25. It is possible that some applications will be brought in respect of children who were freed for adoption prior to 30 December 2005 under the Adoption Act 1976. In these cases, although the adoption application is brought under the Act and the Rules, the birth parents are not parties to the application and are not entitled to notice of the hearing, as they are legally defined as ‘former’ parents under the 1976 Act see the case of Re F (Adoption; natural parents) [2006] EWCA Civ 1345. Legal representation for adoptive applicants 8.26. Where the adoption application is opposed, it might be necessary for the applicants to be legally represented. The cost of legal representation, as well as payment of court fees, is one aspect of adoption support provided by a local authority that should not be means tested (see regulation 15.4 of the Adoption Support Services Regulations 2005 (ASR)). Even where the application is not opposed, it may be necessary for the prospective adopter to be legally represented, in order, among other things, to avoid the risk that they attend court in person at the same time as the birth parents. Advice should be sought from the agency legal adviser about the appropriateness of legal representation. The legal department will also be in a position to provide some of the documentation needed for the filing of the application. Which court? 8.27. An application f