Amendments to Paternity and Adoption Leave Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/2788) come into force progressively from 1 October.

Changes made to ensure that paternity leave cannot be taken:

* in relation to a child where shared parental leave has already been taken in relation to that child * if the employee has exercised a right to take paid time off to attend an adoption appointment in respect of the same child.

The Regulations also

* remove the current requirement for a qualifying period of service of 26 weeks before an employee is entitled to adoption leave * introduce protections for employees who suffer a detriment or are dismissed in relation to time off for ante-natal or adoption appointments * amend the provisions on the right to return after paternity or adoption leave.

Made: 5th August 2014
Coming into force

* 1st October 2014: regulations 1, 2, 10, 12 and 14(1) and (3): * 1st December 2014: regulations 3, 4, 5(a), 5(b) (partially), 6, 8 and 9: * 5th April 2015: all other purposes

Read the full SI