Adoption leave and pay guidance notes

The Paternity and Adoption Leave Regulations 2002 (as amended) (“the Regulations”) give qualifying employees who adopt an entitlement to adoption leave. Where a couple adopt jointly, only one of the couple will be eligible to benefit from adoption leave and pay, although the other partner may be entitled to paternity leave and pay (see Paternity Leave section on Employmentbuddy).

There are minimum statutory provisions for pay during adoption leave introduced under the Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (General) Regulations 2002 (as amended).

The general legal principles, including the employees’ statutory rights are outlined below and further guidance is also given on interpretation of the law and practical management issues which may arise.