16
16. Subject to Rule 17, the Court shall not make an adoption order or an interim order except after the personal attendance before the Court of the applicant, the infant (unless in the opinion of the Court he is not of an age to understand the effect of the adoption order) and the guardian ad litem; but except as aforesaid, the personal attendance of a person served with a notice under Rule 14 shall not be required unless it appears to the Court that there are special circumstances which render his attendance necessary.