Statutory Instruments
2002 No. 2822
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
The Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (General) Regulations 2002
Made 13th November 2002
Laid before Parliament 15th November 2002
Coming into force 8th December 2002

The Secretary of State, in exercise of the powers conferred on her by sections 171ZA(2)(a), 171ZB(2)(a), 171ZC(3)(a), (c), (d), (f) and (g), 171ZD(2) and (3), 171ZE(2)(a), (b)(i), (3), (7) and (8), 171ZG(3), 171ZJ(1), (3), (4), (7) and (8), 171ZL(8)(b) to (d), (f) and (g), 171ZM(2) and (3), 171ZN(2), (5) and (6), 171ZP(6), 171ZS(1), (3), (4), (7) and (8), and 175(4) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 and section 5(1)(g), (i) and (p) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 and with the concurrence of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue in so far as such concurrence is required, by this instrument, which contains only provision made by virtue of sections 2, 4 and 53 of and paragraphs 8 and 11 of Schedule 7 to the Employment Act 2002 and is made before the end of the period of 6 months from the coming into force of those enactments, hereby makes the following Regulations—
1992 c. 4. Sections 171ZA to 171ZJ were inserted by section 2 of the Employment Act 2002 (c. 22), and sections 171ZL to 171ZT by section 4 of that Act. Sections 171ZJ(1) and 171ZS(1) are cited because of the meaning ascribed to the word “prescribed”.
1992 c. 5. Section 5(5), concerning the applicability of section 5(1)(g), (i) and (p) was amended by paragraph 11 of Schedule 7 to the Employment Act 2002.
See section 173(5)(b) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992.
Regulations amendment to earlier affecting provisions S.I. 2014/2934, regs. 11, 14 (26.8.2024) by The Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (Parental Orders and Prospective Adopters) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/843), regs. 1(2), 4, 5

PART 1 Introduction

Citation and commencement
1. These Regulations may be cited as the Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (General) Regulations 2002 and shall come into force on 8th December 2002.

Interpretation
2. (1) In these Regulations—
“the Act” means the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992;
“adopter”, in relation to a child, means a person who has been matched with the child for adoption;
“adoption agency” has the meaning given, in relation to England and Wales, by section 1(4) of the Adoption Act 1976 and in relation to Scotland, by section 119(1) of the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007;
“the Board” means the Commissioners of Inland Revenue;
“the Contributions Regulations” means the Social Security (Contributions) Regulations 2001 ;
“expected week”, in relation to the birth of a child, means the week, beginning with midnight between Saturday and Sunday, in which it is expected that the child will be born;
“returned after being placed for adoption” means—
(a) returned under sections 31 to 35 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002;
(b) in Scotland, returned to the adoption agency, adoption society or nominated person in accordance with section 25(6) of the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007; or
(c) where the child is placed in accordance with section 22C of the Children Act 1989, returned to the adoption agency following a termination of the placement;
“statutory paternity pay (adoption)” means statutory paternity pay payable in accordance with the provisions of Part 12ZA of the Act where the conditions specified in section 171ZB(2) of the Act are satisfied;
“statutory paternity pay (birth)” means statutory paternity pay payable in accordance with the provisions of Part 12ZA of the Act where the conditions specified in section 171ZA(2) of the Act are satisfied.
(2) For the purposes of these Regulations—
(a) a person is matched with a child for adoption when an adoption agency decides that that person would be a suitable adoptive parent for the child;
(b) in a case where paragraph (a) applies, a person is notified as having been matched with a child on the date that person receives notification of the agency’s decision, under regulation 33(3)(a) of the Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005, regulation 28(3) of the Adoption Agencies (Wales) Regulations 2005 or regulation 8(5) of the Adoption Agencies (Scotland) Regulations 2009;
(c) a person is also matched with a child for adoption when a decision is has been made in accordance with regulation 22A of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010 and an adoption agency has identified that person with whom the child is to be placed in accordance with regulation 12B of the Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005.
(d) in a case where paragraph (c) applies, a person is notified as having been matched with a child on the date on which that person receives notification in accordance with regulation 12B(2)(a) of the Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005.
Reg. 2(2) substituted (1.12.2014) by The Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (Parental Orders and Prospective Adopters) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/2934), regs. 1, 4(2) (with reg. 3)
(3) A reference (however expressed) in these Regulations to “placed for adoption” means—
(a) placed for adoption under the Adoption and Children Act 2002 or the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007; or
(b) placed in accordance with section 22C of the Children Act 1989 with a local authority foster parent who is also a prospective adopter.
Reg. 2(3)(4) inserted (1.12.2014) by The Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (Parental Orders and Prospective Adopters) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/2934), regs. 1, 4(3) (with reg. 3)
(4) The reference to “prospective adopter” in paragraph (3) means a person who has been approved as suitable to adopt a child and has been notified of that decision in accordance with regulation 30B(4) of the Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005.
1976 c. 36; section 1(4) was amended by paragraph 5 of Schedule 4 to the Care Standards Act 2000 (c. 36).
Words in reg. 2(1) substituted (15.7.2011) by The Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1740), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 32(2)(a)
S.I. 2001/1004.
Words in reg. 2(1) inserted (8.3.2024) by The Statutory Paternity Pay (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/121), regs. 2, 8 (with regs. 5(1), 6)

Application
3. (1) Subject to the provisions of Part 12ZA of the Act (statutory paternity pay) and of these Regulations, there is entitlement to—
(a) statutory paternity pay (birth) in respect of children—
(i) born on or after 6th April 2003; or
(ii) whose expected week of birth begins on or after that date;
(b) statutory paternity pay (adoption) in respect of children—
(i) matched with a person who is notified of having been matched on or after 6th April 2003; or
(ii) placed for adoption on or after that date.
(2) Subject to the provisions of Part 12ZB of the Act (statutory adoption pay) and of these Regulations, there is entitlement to statutory adoption pay in respect of children—
(a) matched with a person who is notified of having been matched on or after 6th April 2003; or
(b) placed for adoption on or after that date.

PART 2 Statutory paternity pay (birth)

Conditions of entitlement to statutory paternity pay (birth): relationship with newborn child and child’s mother
4. The conditions prescribed under section 171ZA(2)(a) of the Act are those prescribed in regulation 4(2)(b) and (c) of the Paternity and Adoption Leave Regulations 2002 .
S.I. 2002/2788.

Modification of entitlement conditions: early birth
5. Where a person does not meet the conditions specified in section 171ZA(2)(b) to (d) of the Act because the child’s birth occurred earlier than the 14th week before the expected week of the birth, it shall have effect as if, for the conditions there set out, there were substituted the conditions that—
(a) the person would, but for the date on which the birth occurred, have been in employed earner’s employment with an employer for a continuous period of at least 26 weeks ending with the week immediately preceding the 14th week before the expected week of the child’s birth;
(b) his normal weekly earnings for the period of 8 weeks ending with the week immediately preceding the week in which the child is born are not less than the lower earnings limit in force under section 5(1)(a) of the Act immediately before the commencement of the week in which the child is born.

Notice of entitlement to statutory paternity pay (birth)
5A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Regs. 6-7 substituted for regs. 5A-9 (8.3.2024) by The Statutory Paternity Pay (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/121), regs. 2, 9 (with regs. 5(1), 6)

Options in respect of periods of payment of statutory paternity pay (birth)
6. (1) Within the qualifying period set out in regulation 6A, a person entitled to statutory paternity pay (birth) may choose a period of payment of statutory paternity pay to begin on—
(a) the date on which the child is born or, where the person is at work on that day, the following day;
(b) the date falling such number of days after the date on which the child is born as the person may specify;
(c) a predetermined date, specified by the person, which is later than the first day of the expected week of the child’s birth.
(2) A person may choose for statutory paternity pay (birth) to be paid in respect of—
(a) a single period of either one week or two weeks, or
(b) two non-consecutive periods of a week each.

Qualifying period for statutory paternity pay (birth)
6A. Subject to regulation 16A, the qualifying period for the purposes of section 171ZE(3) of the Act (period within which a period of payment of statutory paternity pay must occur) is a period which begins on the date of the child’s birth and ends—
(a) except in the case referred to in sub-paragraph (b), 52 weeks after that date, or
(b) in a case where the child is born before the first day of the expected week of its birth, 52 weeks after that day.

Notice and evidence requirements for statutory paternity pay (birth)
6B. (1) A person must provide evidence of entitlement to statutory paternity pay (birth) by providing in writing to whoever will be liable to pay it—
(a) the information specified in paragraph (2), and
(b) the declarations specified in paragraph (3).
(2) The information referred to in paragraph (1)(a) is as follows—
(a) the name of the person claiming statutory paternity pay (birth);
(b) the expected week of the child’s birth.
(3) The declarations referred to in paragraph (1)(b) are—
(a) a declaration that the person satisfies the conditions prescribed in regulation 4, and
(b) a declaration that section 171ZE(4) of the Act does not apply.
(4) The information referred to in paragraph (2) and the declaration referred to in paragraph (3)(a) must be provided—
(a) in or before the 15th week before the expected week of the child’s birth, or
(b) in a case where it was not reasonably practicable for the person to provide it in that period, as soon as is reasonably practicable.
(5) The notice provided for in section 171ZC(1) of the Act (notice to be given stating the week or weeks in respect of which payments are to be made) must be given to whoever will be liable to pay statutory paternity pay (birth) at least 28 days before—
(a) the first day of the expected week of the child’s birth, where the option in regulation 6(1)(a) is chosen;
(b) the date falling the specified number of days after the first day of the expected week of the child’s birth, where the option in regulation 6(1)(b) is chosen;
(c) the predetermined date, where the option in regulation 6(1)(c) is chosen;
or, if it is not reasonably practicable to do so, as soon as is reasonably practicable.
(6) On each occasion that a notice is given under paragraph (5), the declaration referred to in paragraph (3)(b) must be provided at the same time.
(7) Where a notice has previously been given under paragraph (5) or this paragraph, or under regulation 7(2), a notice of variation in writing may be given to the person who will be liable to pay statutory paternity pay which—
(a) cancels the period of payment of statutory paternity pay specified in that notice, or
(b) varies that period by choosing an option under regulation 6.
(8) Where the notice under paragraph (5) specifies a period of two weeks in respect of which statutory paternity pay is to be paid, notice of variation may be given in relation to either one or both of those weeks, regardless of whether those weeks are consecutive or non-consecutive.
(9) A notice of variation under paragraph (7) must be given by whichever is the earlier of at least 28 days before—
(a) the original day or date referred to in paragraph (10)(a), or
(b) the new day or date referred to in paragraph (10)(b),
or, if it is not reasonably practicable to do so, as soon as is reasonably practicable.
(10) For the purposes of—
(a) paragraph (9)(a), where a notice has previously been given under either paragraph (5) or (7), the original day or date is—
(i) the first day of the expected week of the child’s birth, where the option in regulation 6(1)(a) was chosen in that notice;
(ii) the specified number of days after the first day of the expected week of the child’s birth, where the option in regulation 6(1)(b) was chosen in that notice;
(iii) the predetermined date specified in that notice, where the option in regulation 6(1)(c) was chosen;
(b) paragraph (9)(b), the new day or date is—
(i) the first day of the expected week of the child’s birth, where the option in regulation 6(1)(a) is chosen in the notice of variation;
(ii) the date falling the specified number of days after the first day of the expected week of the child’s birth, where the option in regulation 6(1)(b) is chosen in the notice of variation;
(iii) the predetermined date specified in that notice, where the option in regulation 6(1)(c) is chosen in the notice of variation.
(11) The person who is entitled to statutory paternity pay (birth) must inform the person who is liable to pay it of the date of the child’s birth if—
(a) that person so requests, and
(b) that date has not previously been provided to that person,
within 28 days of the request, or as soon as is reasonably practicable thereafter.

Additional notice requirements for statutory paternity pay (birth)
7. (1) Where a person has given notice in accordance with regulation 6B(5)(a) or (b), the person must give further notice to the person liable to pay statutory paternity pay, as soon as is reasonably practicable after the child’s birth, of the date the child was born.
(2) In a case where—
(a) a person has given notice in accordance with regulation 6B(5)(c), and
(b) the date of the child’s birth is later than the date specified in that notice as the date on which a period of payment is to begin,
the person must vary the date on which the period of payment is to begin by giving notice to the person liable to pay statutory paternity pay (birth), as soon as is reasonably practicable, that the period in respect of which statutory paternity pay is to be paid will begin on a date different from that originally chosen.
(3) That date may be any date chosen in accordance with paragraph (1) of regulation 6.
(4) Where a notice is given under regulation 6B(7) or paragraph (2) above which varies the dates of a period of payment, a declaration under regulation 6B(3)(b) in relation to that period must be given at the same time as that notice.
(5) Paragraph (2) does not apply in circumstances where regulation 16A(5) applies.

Qualifying period for statutory paternity pay (birth)
8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Evidence of entitlement to statutory paternity pay (birth)
9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Entitlement to statutory paternity pay (birth) where there is more than one employer
10. Statutory paternity pay (birth) shall be payable to a person in respect of a statutory pay week during any part of which he works only for an employer—
(a) who is not liable to pay him statutory paternity pay (birth); and
(b) for whom he has worked in the week immediately preceding the 14th week before the expected week of the child’s birth.

PART 3 Statutory paternity pay (adoption)

Conditions of entitlement to statutory paternity pay (adoption): relationship with child and with person with whom the child is placed for adoption
11. (1) The conditions prescribed under section 171ZB(2)(a) of the Act are that a person—
(a) is married to , the civil partner or the partner of a child’s adopter (or in a case where there are two adopters, married to , the civil partner or the partner of the other adopter), and
Words in reg. 11(1)(a) inserted (5.12.2005) by The Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Amendments to Subordinate Legislation) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2114), art. 1, Sch. 17 para. 3
(b) has, or expects to have, the main responsibility (apart from the responsibility of the child’s adopter, or in a case where there two adopters, together with the other adopter) for the upbringing of the child.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), “partner” means a person (whether of a different sex or the same sex) who lives with the adopter and the child in an enduring family relationship but is not a relative of the adopter of a kind specified in paragraph (2A).
Word in reg. 11(2) substituted (6.4.2004) by The Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/488), regs. 1(1), 2(2)(a)
(2A) The relatives of the adopter referred to in paragraph (2) are the adopter’s parent, grandparent, sister, brother, aunt or uncle.
Reg. 11(2A) inserted (6.4.2004) by The Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/488), regs. 1(1), 2(2)(b)
(3) References to relationships in paragraph (2A)—
(a) are to relationships of the full blood or half blood, or, in the case of an adopted person, such of those relationships as would exist but for the adoption, and
(b) include the relationship of a child with his adoptive, or former adoptive parents but do not include any other adoptive relationships.
Word in reg. 11(3) substituted (6.4.2004) by The Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/488), regs. 1(1), 2(2)(c)

Notice of entitlement to statutory paternity pay (adoption)
11A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Regs. 12-13 substituted for regs. 11A-15 (8.3.2024) by The Statutory Paternity Pay (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/121), regs. 2, 10 (with regs. 5(1), 6)

Options in respect of periods of payment of statutory paternity pay (adoption)
12. (1) Within the qualifying period set out in regulation 12A, a person entitled to statutory paternity pay (adoption) may choose a period of payment of statutory paternity pay to begin on—
(a) the date on which the child is placed with the adopter or, where the person is at work on that day, the following day;
(b) the date falling such number of days after the date on which the child is placed with the adopter as the person may specify;
(c) a predetermined date, specified by the person, which is later than the date on which the child is expected to be placed with the adopter.
(2) A person may choose for statutory paternity pay (adoption) to be paid in respect of—
(a) a single period of either one week or two weeks, or
(b) two non-consecutive periods of a week each.

Qualifying period for statutory paternity pay (adoption)
12A. Subject to regulation 16A, the qualifying period for the purposes of section 171ZE(3) of the Act (period within which a period of payment of statutory paternity pay must occur) is a period of 52 weeks beginning with the date of the child’s placement for adoption.

Notice and evidence requirements for statutory paternity pay (adoption)
12B. (1) A person must provide evidence of entitlement to statutory paternity pay (adoption) by providing in writing to whoever will be liable to pay it—
(a) the information specified in paragraph (2), and
(b) the declarations specified in paragraph (3).
(2) The information referred to in paragraph (1)(a) is as follows—
(a) the name of the person claiming statutory paternity pay (adoption);
(b) the date the adopter was notified of having been matched with the child for the purposes of adoption;
(c) the date on which the child is expected to be placed for adoption or, where the child has already been placed for adoption, the date of placement of the child.
(3) The declarations referred to in paragraph (1)(b) are—
(a) a declaration that the person satisfies the conditions prescribed in regulation 11(1);
(b) a declaration that the person has elected to receive statutory paternity pay (adoption), and not statutory adoption pay under Part 12ZB of the Act;
(c) a declaration that section 171ZE(4) of the Act does not apply.
(4) The information referred to in paragraph (2) and the declarations referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph (3) must be provided—
(a) no more than seven days after the date on which the adopter is notified of having been matched with the child, or
(b) in a case where it was not reasonably practicable for the person to provide it in that period, as soon as is reasonably practicable.
(5) The notice provided for in section 171ZC(1) of the Act (notice to be given stating the week or weeks in respect of which payments are to be made) must be given to whoever will be liable to pay statutory paternity pay (adoption)—
(a) no more than seven days after the date on which the adopter is notified of having been matched with the child, or
(b) in a case where it was not reasonably practicable for the person to provide it in that period, as soon as is reasonably practicable.
(6) The declaration referred to in paragraph (3)(c) must be provided at the same time that the notice is given under paragraph (5).
(7) Where notice has previously been given under paragraph (5) or this paragraph or under regulation 13(2), a notice of variation in writing may be given to the person who will be liable to pay statutory paternity pay which—
(a) cancels the period of payment of statutory paternity pay specified in that notice, or
(b) varies that period by choosing an option under regulation 12.
(8) Where the notice under paragraph (5) specifies a period of two weeks in respect of which statutory paternity pay is to be paid, notice of variation may be given in relation to either one or both of those weeks, regardless of whether those weeks are consecutive or non-consecutive.
(9) A notice of variation under paragraph (7) must be given by whichever is the earlier of at least 28 days before—
(a) the original day or date referred to in paragraph (10)(a), or
(b) the new day or date referred to in paragraph (10)(b),
or, if it is not reasonably practicable to do so, as soon as is reasonably practicable.
(10) For the purposes of—
(a) paragraph (9)(a), where a notice has previously been given under either paragraph (5) or (7), the original day or date is—
(i) the date provided under paragraph (2)(c) above as the date on which the child is expected to be placed for adoption, where the option in regulation 12(1)(a) was chosen in that notice;
(ii) the date falling the specified number of days after the date provided under paragraph (2)(c) above as the date on which the child is expected to be placed for adoption, where the option in regulation 12(1)(b) was chosen in that notice;
(iii) the predetermined date specified in that notice, where the option in regulation 12(1)(c) was chosen;
(b) paragraph (9)(b), the new day or date is—
(i) the date provided under paragraph (2)(c) above as the date on which the child is expected to be placed for adoption, where the option in regulation 12(1)(a) is chosen in the notice of variation;
(ii) the date falling the specified number of days after the date provided under paragraph (2)(c) above as the date on which the child is expected to be placed for adoption, where the option in regulation 12(1)(b) is chosen in the notice of variation;
(iii) the predetermined date specified in the notice of variation, where the option in regulation 12(1)(c) is chosen.
(11) The person who is entitled to statutory paternity pay (adoption) must inform the person who is liable to pay it of the date of the child’s placement if—
(a) that person so requests, and
(b) that date has not previously been provided to that person,
within 28 days of the request, or as soon as is reasonably practicable thereafter.

Additional notice requirements for statutory paternity pay (adoption)
13. (1) Where a person has chosen an option in regulation 12(1)(a) or (b) in a notice of a period of payment of statutory paternity pay, the person must give further notice to the person liable to pay statutory paternity pay, as soon as is reasonably practicable, of the date on which the placement occurred.
(2) In a case where—
(a) a person has chosen the option in regulation 12(1)(c) in a notice of a period of payment of statutory paternity pay, and
(b) the child is placed for adoption later than the date specified in that notice,
the person must vary the date on which the period of payment is to begin by giving notice to the person liable to pay statutory paternity pay (adoption), as soon as is reasonably practicable, that the period in respect of which statutory paternity pay is to be paid will begin on a date different from that originally chosen.
(3) That date may be any date chosen in accordance with paragraph (1) of regulation 12.
(4) Where a notice is given under regulation 12B(7) or paragraph (2) above which varies the dates of a period of payment, a declaration under regulation 12B(3)(c) in relation to that period must be given at the same time as that notice.
(5) Paragraph (2) does not apply in circumstances where regulation 16A(5) applies.

Qualifying period for statutory paternity pay (adoption)
14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Evidence of entitlement for statutory paternity pay (adoption)
15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Entitlement to statutory paternity pay (adoption) where there is more than one employer
16. Statutory paternity pay (adoption) shall be payable to a person in respect of a statutory pay week during any part of which he works only for an employer—
(a) who is not liable to pay him statutory paternity pay (adoption); and
(b) for whom he has worked in the week in which the adopter is notified of being matched with the child.

PART 4 Statutory paternity pay: provisions applicable to both statutory paternity pay (birth) and statutory paternity pay (adoption)

Change in circumstances
16A. (1) This regulation applies where a person is otherwise entitled to statutory paternity pay in respect of a child but a relevant event, as specified in paragraph (2), occurs.
(2) A relevant event as referred to in paragraph (1) occurs when—
(a) the person is notified that the child will no longer be placed with the person with whom the child was to be placed for adoption, or
(b) the child—
(i) dies, or
(ii) is returned after being placed for adoption.
(3) In a case where this regulation applies, the qualifying period for the purposes of section 171ZE(3) of the Act (period within which a period of payment of statutory paternity pay must occur) ends after the end of a period of eight weeks following the end of the relevant week specified in paragraph (4), except in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (5).
(4) The relevant week referred to in paragraph (3) is—
(a) in a case falling within paragraph (2)(a), the week during which the person with whom the child was to be placed for adoption is notified that the placement will not be made;
(b) in a case falling within paragraph (2)(b)(i), the week during which the child dies;
(c) in a case falling within paragraph (2)(b)(ii), the week during which the child is returned.
(5) Where the person has complied with the requirements in regulation 6B (notice and evidential requirements for statutory paternity pay (birth)) or regulation 12B (notice and evidential requirements for statutory paternity pay (adoption)), as the case may be, the person will remain entitled to payment in respect of any period of payment which has been specified in a notice given, before the day on which the relevant event occurs, under whichever of those regulations is relevant.
(6) Where paragraph (5) applies, no further notices may be served under regulation 6B or 12B other than a notice to cancel a period of payment specified in a notice already given under regulations 6B, 7, 12B or 13.
(7) In this regulation—
(a) “week” means the period of seven days beginning with Sunday;
(b) references to the death of a child are to be read, in relation to a child stillborn after twenty-four weeks of pregnancy, as references to the birth of the child.
Reg. 16A inserted (8.3.2024) by The Statutory Paternity Pay (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/121), regs. 2, 11 (with regs. 5(1), 6)

Work during a period of payment of statutory paternity pay
17. (1) Where a person (P) works for an employer falling within—
(a) paragraph (a) but not paragraph (b) of regulation 10, or
(b) paragraph (a) but not paragraph (b) of regulation 16
for any part of a period which is specified by P in a notice under regulation 6B, 7, 12B or 13, P must notify the person liable to pay statutory paternity pay of the fact of that work within seven days of the first day during which P does such work.
(2) The notification mentioned in paragraph (1) must be in writing, if the person who has been liable to pay statutory paternity pay so requests.
Reg. 17 substituted (8.3.2024) by The Statutory Paternity Pay (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/121), regs. 2, 12 (with regs. 5(1), 6)

Cases where there is no liability to pay statutory paternity pay
18. (1) There shall be no liability to pay statutory paternity pay in respect of any week—
(a) during any part of which the person entitled to it is entitled to statutory sick pay under Part 11 of the Act;
(b) following that in which the person claiming it has died; or
(c) during any part of which the person entitled to it is detained in legal custody or sentenced to a term of imprisonment, except where that sentence is suspended (but see paragraph (2).
Reg. 18(1)(c) substituted (8.3.2024) by The Statutory Paternity Pay (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/121), regs. 2, 13(b) (with regs. 5(1), 6)
Reg. 18 renumbered as reg. 18(1) (8.3.2024) by The Statutory Paternity Pay (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/121), regs. 2, 13(a) (with regs. 5(1), 6)
(2) There is liability to pay statutory paternity pay in respect of any week during any part of which the person who is entitled to that pay is detained in legal custody where that person—
(a) is released subsequently without charge,
(b) is subsequently found not guilty of any offence and is released, or
(c) is convicted of an offence but does not receive a custodial sentence.
Reg. 18(2) inserted (8.3.2024) by The Statutory Paternity Pay (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/121), regs. 2, 13(c) (with regs. 5(1), 6)

Statutory paternity pay and contractual remuneration
19. For the purposes of section 171ZG(1) and (2) of the Act, the payments which are to be treated as contractual remuneration are sums payable under a contract of service—
(a) by way of remuneration;
(b) for incapacity for work due to sickness or injury;
(c) by reason of the birth or adoption of a child.

Avoidance of liability for statutory paternity pay
20. (1) A former employer shall be liable to make payments of statutory paternity pay to a former employee in any case where the employee had been employed for a continuous period of at least 8 weeks and his contract of service was brought to an end by the former employer solely, or mainly, for the purpose of avoiding liability for statutory paternity pay.
(2) In a case falling within paragraph (1)—
(a) the employee shall be treated as if he had been employed for a continuous period ending with the child’s birth or, as the case may be, the placement of the child for adoption;
(b) his normal weekly earnings shall be calculated by reference to his normal weekly earnings for the period of 8 weeks ending with the last day in respect of which he was paid under his former contract of service.

PART 5 Statutory adoption pay

Adoption pay period
21. (1) Subject to paragraph (2), a person entitled to statutory adoption pay may choose the adoption pay period to begin—
(a) on the date on which the child is placed with him for adoption or, where he is at work on that day, on the following day;
(b) subject to paragraph (2), on a predetermined date, specified by him, which is no more than 14 days before the date on which the child is expected to be placed with him and no later than that date.
(2) In a case where statutory adoption pay is payable in respect of a child matched with an adopter who is notified of having been matched before 6th April 2003, the statutory adoption pay period shall begin on a predetermined date which is—
(a) on or after 6th April 2003, and
(b) no more than 14 days before the date on which the child is expected to be placed with the adopter.
(3) Subject to paragraph (4), where the choice made is that mentioned in sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (1) or in a case where paragraph (2) applies, the adoption pay period shall, unless the employer agrees to the adoption pay period beginning earlier, begin no earlier than 28 days after notice under section 171ZL(6) of the Act has been given.
(4) Where the beginning of the adoption pay period determined in accordance with paragraph (3) is later than the date of placement, it shall be the date of placement.
(5) Subject to regulation 22, the duration of any adoption pay period shall be a continuous period of 39 weeks.
Word in reg. 21(5) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 2 of the amending S.I.) by The Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (General) and the Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (Weekly Rates) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/2236), regs. 1(1), 4
(6) A choice made under paragraph (1), or a date specified under paragraph (2), is not irrevocable, but where a person subsequently makes a different choice, section 171ZL(6) of the Act shall apply to it.

Adoption pay period in cases where adoption is disrupted
22. (1) Where—
(a) after a child has been placed for adoption—
(i) the child dies;
(ii) the child is returned after being placed, or
Reg. 22(1)(a)(ii) substituted (1.12.2014) by The Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (Parental Orders and Prospective Adopters) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/2934), regs. 1, 5(2) (with reg. 3)
(b) the adoption pay period has begun prior to the date the child has been placed for adoption, but the placement does not take place,
the adoption pay period shall terminate in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (2).
(2) The adoption pay period shall, in a case falling within paragraph (1), terminate 8 weeks after the end of the week specified in paragraph (3).
(3) The week referred to in paragraph (2) is—
(a) in a case falling within paragraph (1)(a)(i), the week during which the child dies;
(b) in a case falling within paragraph (1)(a)(ii), the week during which the child is returned;
(c) in a case falling within paragraph (1)(b), the week during which the person with whom the child was to be placed for adoption is notified that the placement will not be made.
(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3), “week” means a period of seven days beginning with Sunday.
(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reg. 22(5) omitted (8.3.2024) by virtue of The Statutory Paternity Pay (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/121), regs. 2, 14 (with regs. 5(1), 6)

Additional notice requirements for statutory adoption pay
23. (1) Where a person gives notice under section 171ZL(6) of the Act he shall at the same time give notice of the date on which the child is expected to be placed for adoption.
(2) Where the choice made in accordance with paragraph (1) of regulation 21 and notified in accordance with section 171ZL(6) of the Act is that mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) of that paragraph, the person shall give further notice to the person liable to pay him statutory adoption pay as soon as is reasonably practicable of the date the child is placed for adoption.

Evidence of entitlement to statutory adoption pay
24. (1) A person shall provide evidence of his entitlement to statutory adoption pay by providing to the person who will be liable to pay it—
(a) the information specified in paragraph (2), in the form of one or more documents provided to him by an adoption agency, containing that information;
(b) a declaration that he has elected to receive statutory adoption pay, and not statutory paternity pay (adoption) under Part 12ZA of the Act.
(2) The information referred to in paragraph (1) is—
(a) the name and address of the adoption agency and of the person claiming payment of statutory adoption pay;
(b) the date on which the child is expected to be placed for adoption or, where the child has already been placed for adoption, the date of placement; and
(c) the date on which the person claiming payment of statutory adoption pay was informed by the adoption agency that the child would be placed for adoption with him.
(3) The information and declaration referred to in paragraph (1) shall be provided to the person liable to pay statutory adoption pay at least 28 days before the date chosen as the beginning of the adoption pay period in accordance with paragraph (1) of regulation 21, or, if that is not reasonably practicable, as soon as is reasonably practicable thereafter.

Entitlement to statutory adoption pay where there is more than one employer
25. Statutory adoption pay shall be payable to a person in respect of a week during any part of which he works only for an employer—
(a) who is not liable to pay him statutory adoption pay; and
(b) for whom he has worked in the week in which he is notified of being matched with the child.

Work during an adoption pay period
26. (1) Where, in a case where statutory adoption pay is being paid to a person who works during the adoption pay period for an employer who is not liable to pay him statutory adoption pay and who does not fall within paragraph (b) of regulation 25, there shall be no liability to pay statutory adoption pay in respect of any remaining part of the adoption pay period.
(2) In a case falling within paragraph (1), the person shall notify the person liable to pay statutory adoption pay within 7 days of the first day during which he works during the adoption pay period.
(3) The notification contained in paragraph (2) shall be in writing if the person who has been liable to pay statutory adoption pay so requests.

Cases where there is no liability to pay statutory adoption pay
27. (1) There shall be no liability to pay statutory adoption pay in respect of any week—
(a) during any part of which the person entitled to it is entitled to statutory sick pay under Part 11 of the Act;
(b) following that in which the person claiming it has died; or
(c) subject to paragraph (2), during any part of which the person entitled to it is detained in legal custody or sentenced to a term of imprisonment (except where the sentence is suspended).
(2) There shall be liability to pay statutory adoption pay in respect of any week during any part of which the person entitled to it is detained in legal custody where that person—
(a) is released subsequently without charge;
(b) is subsequently found not guilty of any offence and is released; or
(c) is convicted of an offence but does not receive a custodial sentence.

Working for not more than 10 days during an adoption pay period
27A. In the case where an employee does any work under a contract of service with his employer on any day for not more than 10 such days during his adoption pay period, whether consecutive or not, statutory adoption pay shall continue to be payable to the employee by the employer.
Reg. 27A inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 2 of the amending S.I.) by The Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (General) and the Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (Weekly Rates) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/2236), regs. 1(1), 5

Statutory adoption pay and contractual remuneration
28. For the purposes of section 171ZP(4) and (5) of the Act, the payments which are to be treated as contractual remuneration are sums payable under a contract of service—
(a) by way of remuneration;
(b) for incapacity for work due to sickness or injury;
(c) by reason of the adoption of a child.

Termination of employment before start of adoption pay period
29. (1) Where the employment of a person who satisfies the conditions of entitlement to statutory adoption pay terminates for whatever reason (including dismissal) before the adoption pay period chosen in accordance with regulation 21 has begun, the period shall begin 14 days before the expected date of placement or, where the termination occurs on, or within 14 days before, the expected date of placement, on the day immediately following the last day of his employment.
(2) In a case falling within paragraph (1), the notice requirements set out in section 171ZL(6) of the Act and these Regulations shall not apply.

Avoidance of liability for statutory adoption pay
30. (1) A former employer shall be liable to make payments of statutory adoption pay to a former employee in any case where the employee had been employed for a continuous period of at least 8 weeks and his contract of service was brought to an end by the former employer solely, or mainly, for the purpose of avoiding liability for statutory adoption pay.
(2) In a case falling within paragraph (1)—
(a) the employee shall be treated as if he had been employed for a continuous period ending with the week in which he was notified of having been matched with the child for adoption; and
(b) his normal weekly earnings shall be calculated by reference to his normal weekly earnings for the period of 8 weeks ending with the last day in respect of which he was paid under his former contract of service.

PART 6 Statutory paternity pay and statutory adoption pay: provisions applicable to both statutory paternity pay and statutory adoption pay

Introductory
31. (1) Subject to paragraph (2), the provisions of regulations 32 to 47 below apply to statutory paternity pay payable under Part 12ZA of the Act and to statutory adoption pay payable under 12ZB of the Act.
(2) The provisions of regulation 44 only apply to statutory adoption pay.

Treatment of persons as employees
32. (1) Subject to paragraph (1A), in a case where, and in so far as, a person ... is treated as an employed earner by virtue of the Social Security (Categorisation of Earners) Regulations 1978 he shall be treated as an employee for the purposes of Parts 12ZA and 12ZB of the Act, and in a case where, and in so far as, such a person is treated otherwise than as an employed earner by virtue of those regulations, he shall not be treated as an employee for the purposes of Parts 12ZA and 12ZB of the Act.
Words in reg. 32(1) inserted (1.10.2006) by The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1031), reg. 1(1), Sch. 8 para. 60(2)(a)
Words in reg. 32(1) omitted (1.10.2006) by virtue of The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1031), reg. 1(1), Sch. 8 para. 60(2)(b)
S.I. 1978/1689, amended by S.I. 1980/1713, 1984/350, 1990/1894, 1994/726, 1998/1728.
(1A) Paragraph (1) shall have effect in relation to a person who—
(a) is under the age of 16; and
(b) would or, as the case may be, would not have been treated as an employed earner by virtue of the Social Security (Categorisation of Earners) Regulations 1978 had he been over that age,
as it has effect in relation to a person who is or, as the case may be, is not so treated.
Reg. 32(1A) substituted (6.4.2007) by The Employment Equality (Age) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/825), regs. 1, 7(2)
(2) A person who is in employed earner’s employment within the meaning of the Act under a contract of apprenticeship shall be treated as an employee for the purposes of Parts 12ZA and 12ZB of the Act.
(3) A person who is in employed earner’s employment within the meaning of the Act but whose employer—
(a) does not fulfil the conditions prescribed in regulation 145(1) of the Contributions Regulations in so far as that provision relates to residence or presence in Great Britain; or
(b) is a person who, by reason of any international treaty to which the United Kingdom is a party or of any international convention binding the United Kingdom—
(i) is exempt from the provisions of the Act; or
(ii) is a person against whom the provisions of the Act are not enforceable,
shall not be treated as an employee for the purposes of Parts 12ZA and 12ZB of the Act.

Continuous employment
33. (1) Subject to the following provisions of this regulation, where in any week a person is, for the whole or part of the week—
(a) incapable of work in consequence of sickness or injury;
(b) absent from work on account of a temporary cessation of work;
(c) absent from work in circumstances such that, by arrangement or custom, he is regarded as continuing in the employment of his employer for all or any purposes,
and returns to work for his employer after the incapacity for or absence from work, that week shall be treated for the purposes of sections 171ZA, 171ZB and 171ZL of the Act as part of a continuous period of employment with that employer, notwithstanding that no contract of service exists with that employer in respect of that week.
(2) Incapacity for work which lasts for more than 26 consecutive weeks shall not count for the purposes of paragraph (1)(a).
(3) Where a person—
(a) is an employee in an employed earner’s employment in which the custom is for the employer—
(i) to offer work for a fixed period of not more than 26 consecutive weeks;
(ii) to offer work for such period on two or more occasions in a year for periods which do not overlap; and
(iii) to offer the work available to those persons who had worked for him during the last or a recent such period, but
(b) is absent from work because of incapacity arising from some specific disease or bodily or mental disablement,
then in that case paragraph (1) shall apply as if the words “and returns to work for his employer after the incapacity for or absence from work,” were omitted and paragraph (4) shall not apply.
(4) Where a person is employed under a contract of service for part only of the relevant week within the meaning of subsection (3) of section 171ZL of the Act (entitlement to statutory adoption pay), the whole of that week shall count in computing a period of continuous employment for the purposes of that section.

Continuous employment and unfair dismissal
34. (1) This regulation applies to a person in relation to whose dismissal an action is commenced which consists—
(a) of the presentation by him of a complaint under section 111(1) of the Employment Rights Act 1996 ;
1996 c. 18.
(b) of his making a claim in accordance with a dismissals procedure agreement designated by an order under section 110 of that Act; ...
Word in reg. 34(1)(b) omitted (with effect in accordance with reg. 2 of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Statutory Maternity Pay (General) and the Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (General) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/358), regs. 1, 4(2)
(c) of any action taken by a conciliation officer under any of sections 18A to 18C of the Employment Tribunals Act 1996 ; or
Words in reg. 34(1)(c) substituted (6.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Consequential Amendments) (Employment) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/386), art. 1, Sch. para. 19
1996 c. 17.
Reg. 34(1)(d) and word inserted (with effect in accordance with reg. 2 of the amending S.I.) by The Statutory Maternity Pay (General) and the Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (General) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/358), regs. 1, 4(2)
(d) of a decision arising out of the use of a statutory dispute resolution procedure contained in Schedule 2 to the Employment Act 2002 in a case where, in accordance with the Employment Act 2002 (Dispute Resolution) Regulations 2004, such a procedure applies.
(2) If, in consequence of an action of the kind specified in paragraph (1), a person is reinstated or re-engaged by his employer or by a successor or associated employer of that employer, the continuity of his employment shall be preserved for the purposes of Part 12ZA or, as the case may be, Part 12ZB of the Act, and any week which falls within the interval beginning with the effective date of termination and ending with the date of reinstatement or re-engagement, as the case may be, shall count in the computation of his period of continuous employment.
(3) In this regulation—
“successor” and “dismissal procedures agreement” have the same meanings as in section 235 of the Employment Rights Act 1996; and
“associated employer” shall be construed in accordance with section 231 of the Employment Rights Act 1996.

Continuous employment and stoppages of work
35. (1) Where, for any week or part of a week a person does not work because there is a stoppage of work due to a trade dispute within the meaning of section 35(1) of the Jobseekers Act 1995 at his place of employment, the continuity of his employment shall, subject to paragraph (2), be treated as continuing throughout the stoppage but, subject to paragraph (3), no such week shall count in the computation of his period of employment.
1995 c. 18.
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), where during the stoppage of work a person is dismissed from his employment, the continuity of his employment shall not be treated in accordance with paragraph (1) as continuing beyond the commencement of the day he stopped work.
(3) The provisions of paragraph (1), to the extent that they provide that a week in which the stoppage of work occurred shall not count in the computation of a period of employment, and paragraph (2) shall not apply to a person who proves that at no time did he have a direct interest in the trade dispute in question.

Meaning of “week”
35A. (1) This regulation applies where a person (“P”) has been in employed earner’s employment with the same employer in each of 26 consecutive weeks (but no more than 26 weeks), ending with—
(a) in relation to P’s entitlement to statutory paternity pay (birth), the week immediately preceding the 14th week before the expected week of the child’s birth, or
(b) in relation to P’s entitlement to statutory paternity pay (adoption), the week in which P is notified that P has been matched with the child for the purposes of adoption.
(2) For the purpose of determining whether P’s employment amounts to a continuous period of at least 26 weeks (see sections 171ZA(2)(b) and 171ZL(2)(b) of the Act) , the first of those 26 weeks is a period commencing on the first day of P’s employment with the employer (“the start date”) and ending at midnight on—
(a) the first Saturday after the start date, or
(b) where the start date is a Saturday, that day.
Reg. 35A inserted (1.2.2016) by The Statutory Paternity Pay, Statutory Adoption Pay and Statutory Shared Parental Pay (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/2065), regs. 1(2), 2(2)

Change of employer
36. A person’s employment shall, notwithstanding a change of employer, be treated as continuous employment with the second employer where—
(a) the employer’s trade or business or an undertaking (whether or not it is an undertaking established by or under an Act of Parliament) is transferred from one person to another;
(b) by or under an Act of Parliament, whether public or local and whenever passed, a contract of employment between any body corporate and the person is modified and some other body corporate is substituted as his employer;
(c) on the death of his employer, the person is taken into employment of the personal representatives or trustees of the deceased;
(d) the person is employed by partners, personal representatives or trustees and there is a change in the partners, or, as the case may be, personal representatives or trustees;
(e) the person is taken into the employment of an employer who is, at the time he entered his employment, an associated employer of his previous employer, and for this purpose “associated employer” shall be construed in accordance with section 231 of the Employment Rights Act 1996;
(f) on the termination of his employment with an employer he is taken into the employment of another employer and those employers are governors of a school maintained by a local authority and that authority.
Words in reg. 36(f) substituted (5.5.2010) by The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) (Local and Subordinate Legislation) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1172), art. 1(1), Sch. 3 para. 47

Reinstatement after service with the armed forces etc.
37. If a person who is entitled to apply to his employer under the Reserve Forces (Safeguard of Employment) Act 1985 enters the employment of that employer within the 6-month period mentioned in section 1(4)(b) of that Act, his previous period of employment with that employer (or if there was more than one such period, the last of those periods) and the period of employment beginning in that 6-month period shall be treated as continuous.
1985 c. 17.

Treatment of two or more employers or two or more contracts of service as one
38. (1) In a case where the earnings paid to a person in respect of two or more employments are aggregated and treated as a single payment of earnings under regulation 15(1) of the Contributions Regulations, the employers of that person in respect of those employments shall be treated as one for the purposes of Part 12ZA or, as the case may be, Part 12ZB of the Act.
(2) Where two or more employers are treated as one under the provisions of paragraph (1), liability for statutory paternity pay or, as the case may be, statutory adoption pay, shall be apportioned between them in such proportions as they may agree or, in default of agreement, in the proportions which the person’s earnings from each employment bear to the amount of the aggregated earnings.
(3) Where two or more contracts of service exist concurrently between one employer and one employee, they shall be treated as one for the purposes of Part 12ZA or, as the case may be, Part 12ZB of the Act, except where, by virtue of regulation 14 of the Contributions Regulations, the earnings from those contracts of service are not aggregated for the purposes of earnings-related contributions.

Meaning of “earnings”
39. (1) For the purposes of section 171ZJ(6) (normal weekly earnings for the purposes of Part 12ZA of the Act) and of section 171ZS(6) of the Act (normal weekly earnings for the purposes of Part 12ZB of the Act), the expression “earnings” shall be construed in accordance with the following provisions of this regulation.
(2) The expression “earnings” refers to gross earnings and includes any remuneration or profit derived from a person’s employment except any payment or amount which is—
(a) excluded from the computation of a person’s earnings under regulation 25 of and Schedule 3 to, and regulation 123 of, the Contributions Regulations (payments to be disregarded) and regulation 27 of those Regulations (payments to directors to be disregarded) (or would have been so excluded had he not been under the age of 16);
Words in reg. 39(2)(a) inserted (1.10.2006) by The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1031), reg. 1(1), Sch. 8 para. 61(2)
(b) a chargeable emolument under section 10A of the Act, except where, in consequence of such a chargeable emolument being excluded from earnings, a person would not be entitled to statutory paternity pay or, as the case may be, statutory adoption pay (or where such a payment or amount would have been so excluded and in consequence he would not have been entitled to statutory paternity pay or, as the case may be, statutory adoption pay had he not been under the age of 16).
Words in reg. 39(2)(b) inserted (1.10.2006) by The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1031), reg. 1(1), Sch. 8 para. 61(3)
(3) For the avoidance of doubt, “earnings” includes—
(za) any amount retrospectively treated as earnings by regulations made by virtue of section 4B(2) of the Act;
Reg. 39(3)(za) inserted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Social Security, Occupational Pension Schemes and Statutory Payments (Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1154), regs. 1(1), 6(2)
(a) any sum payable in respect of arrears of pay in pursuance of an order for reinstatement or re-engagement under the Employment Rights Act 1996;
(b) any sum payable by way of pay in pursuance of an order made under the Employment Rights Act 1996 for the continuation of a contract of employment;
(c) any sum payable by way of remuneration in pursuance of a protective award under section 189 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 ;
1992 c. 52.
(d) any sum payable by way of statutory sick pay, including sums payable in accordance with regulations made under section 151(6) of the Act;
(e) any sum payable by way of statutory maternity pay;
(f) any sum payable by way of statutory paternity pay;
(g) any sum payable by way of statutory adoption pay.

Normal weekly earnings
40. (1) For the purposes of Part 12ZA and Part 12ZB of the Act, a person’s normal weekly earnings shall be calculated in accordance with the following provisions of this regulation.
(2) In this regulation—
“the appropriate date” means—
(a) in relation to statutory paternity pay (birth), the first day of the 14th week before the expected week of the child’s birth or the first day in the week in which the child is born, whichever is the earlier;
(b) in relation to statutory paternity pay (adoption) and statutory adoption pay, the first day of the week after the week in which the adopter is notified of being matched with the child for the purposes of adoption;
“normal pay day” means a day on which the terms of a person’s contract of service require him to be paid, or the practice in his employment is for him to be paid, if any payment is due to him; and
“day of payment” means a day on which the person was paid.
(3) Subject to paragraph (4), the relevant period for the purposes of section 171ZJ(6) and 171ZS(6) is the period between—
(a) the last normal pay day to fall before the appropriate date; and
(b) the last normal pay day to fall at least 8 weeks earlier than the normal pay day mentioned in sub-paragraph (a),
including the normal pay day mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) but excluding that first mentioned in sub-paragraph (b).
(4) In a case where a person has no identifiable normal pay day, paragraph (3) shall have effect as if the words “day of payment” were substituted for the words “normal pay day” in each place where they occur.
(5) In a case where a person has normal pay days at intervals of or approximating to one or more calendar months (including intervals of or approximating to a year) his normal weekly earnings shall be calculated by dividing his earnings in the relevant period by the number of calendar months in that period (or, if it is not a whole number, the nearest whole number), multiplying the result by 12 and dividing by 52.
(6) In a case to which paragraph (5) does not apply and the relevant period is not an exact number of weeks, the person’s normal weekly earnings shall be calculated by dividing his earnings in the relevant period by the number of days in the relevant period and multiplying the result by 7.
(7) In any case where a person receives a back-dated pay increase which includes a sum in respect of a relevant period, normal weekly earnings shall be calculated as if such a sum was paid in that relevant period even though received after that period.
(8) Paragraph (9) applies where for all or part of the relevant period—
(a) a person is a furloughed employee;
(b) the person’s employer has claimed and is in receipt of financial support in respect of the person’s earnings under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme; and
(c) the person’s earnings are lower than they would otherwise have been as a result of that person being a furloughed employee.
Reg. 40(8)-(10) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 2(1)(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Maternity Allowance, Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay, Statutory Adoption Pay, Statutory Shared Parental Pay and Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (Normal Weekly Earnings etc.) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/450), regs. 1, 5
(9) Where this paragraph applies, the person’s normal weekly earnings are to be calculated as if, during the parts of the relevant period when the person was a furloughed employee, the person was paid the amount which they would have derived from their employment had they not been a furloughed employee.
(10) For the purposes of paragraphs (8) and (9)—
“Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme” (“the Scheme”) means any scheme to provide for payments to be made to employers on a claim made in respect of them incurring costs of employment in respect of furloughed employees arising from the health, social and economic emergency in the United Kingdom resulting from coronavirus and coronavirus disease and contained in such Directions as may be issued from time to time pursuant to section 76 of the Coronavirus Act 2020;
“coronavirus” and “coronavirus disease” have the meanings given in section 1 of that Act;
“furloughed employee” has the meaning given for the purposes of the Scheme.

Payment of statutory paternity pay and statutory adoption pay
41. Payments of statutory paternity pay and statutory adoption pay may be made in a like manner to payments of remuneration but shall not include payment in kind or by way of the provision of board or lodgings or of services or other facilities.

Time when statutory paternity pay and statutory adoption pay are to be paid
42. (1) In this regulation, “pay day” means a day on which it has been agreed, or it is the normal practice between an employer or former employer and a person who is or was an employee of his, that payments by way of remuneration are to be made, or, where there is no such agreement or normal practice, the last day of a calendar month.
(2) In any case where—
(a) a decision has been made by an officer of the Board under section 8(1) of the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 as a result of which a person is entitled to an amount of statutory paternity pay or statutory adoption pay; and
1999 c. 2.
(b) the time for bringing an appeal against the decision has expired and either—
(i) no such appeal has been brought; or
(ii) such an appeal has been brought and has been finally disposed of,
that amount of statutory paternity pay or statutory adoption pay shall be paid within the time specified in paragraph (3).
(3) Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), the employer or former employer shall pay the amount not later than the first pay day after—
(a) where an appeal has been brought, the day on which the employer or former employer receives notification that it has been finally disposed of;
(b) where leave to appeal has been refused and there remains no further opportunity to apply for leave, the day on which the employer or former employer receives notification of the refusal; and
(c) in any other case, the day on which the time for bringing an appeal expires.
(4) Subject to paragraph (5), where it is impracticable, in view of the employer’s or former employer’s methods of accounting for and paying remuneration, for the requirement of payment referred to in paragraph (3) to be met by the pay day referred to in that paragraph, it shall be met not later than the next following pay day.
(5) Where the employer or former employer would not have remunerated the employee for his work in the week in question as early as the pay day specified in paragraph (3) or (if it applies) paragraph (4), the requirement of payment shall be met on the first day on which the employee would have been remunerated for his work in that week.

Liability of the Board to pay statutory paternity pay or statutory adoption pay
43. (1) Notwithstanding sections 171ZD and 171ZM of the Act, where the conditions in regulation 42(2)(a) and (b) are satisfied, liability to make payments of statutory paternity pay or statutory adoption pay, as the case may be, is to be that of the Board and not the employer for—
(a) any week in respect of which the employer was liable to pay statutory paternity pay or statutory adoption pay to that person but did not do so, and
(b) any subsequent week in respect of which that person is entitled to payments of statutory paternity pay or statutory adoption pay.
Reg. 43(1) substituted (8.3.2024) by The Statutory Paternity Pay (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/121), regs. 2, 15(a) (with regs. 5(1), 6)
(2) Liability to make payments of statutory paternity pay or, as the case may be, statutory adoption pay in respect of any week in which a person is entitled to such payments shall, notwithstanding sections 171ZD and 171ZM of the Act, be a liability of the Board and not the employer as from the week in which the employer first becomes insolvent until the end of the adoption pay period or the qualifying period specified in regulations 6A or 12A, as the case may be.
Words in reg. 43(2) inserted (8.3.2024) by The Statutory Paternity Pay (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/121), regs. 2, 15(b)(i) (with regs. 5(1), 6)
Words in reg. 43(2) substituted (8.3.2024) by The Statutory Paternity Pay (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/121), regs. 2, 15(b)(ii) (with regs. 5(1), 6)
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2) an employer shall be taken to be insolvent if, and only if—
(a) in England and Wales—
(i) he has been adjudged bankrupt or has made a composition or arrangement with his creditors;
(ii) he has died and his estate falls to be administered in accordance with an order made under section 421 of the Insolvency Act 1986 ; or
1986 c. 45.
(iii) where an employer is a company or a limited liability partnership, a winding-up order ... is made or a resolution for a voluntary winding-up is passed (or, in the case of a limited liability partnership, a determination for a voluntary winding-up has been made) with respect to it or it enters administration, or a receiver or a manager of its undertaking is duly appointed, or possession is taken, by or on behalf of the holders of any debentures secured by a floating charge, of any property of the company or limited liability partnership comprised in or subject to the charge, or a voluntary arrangement proposed for the purposes of Part 1 of the Insolvency Act 1986 is approved under that Part of that Act;
Words in reg. 43(3)(a)(iii) omitted (15.9.2003) by virtue of The Enterprise Act 2002 (Insolvency) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/2096), art. 1(1), Sch. para. 79(a) (with art. 6)
Words in reg. 43(3)(a)(iii) inserted (15.9.2003) by The Enterprise Act 2002 (Insolvency) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/2096), art. 1(1), Sch. para. 79(a) (with art. 6)
(b) in Scotland—
(i) an award of sequestration is made on his estate or he executes a trust deed for his creditors or enters into a composition contract;
(ii) he has died and a judicial factor appointed under section 11A of the Judicial Factors (Scotland) Act 1889 is required by that section to divide his insolvent estate among his creditors; or
1889 c. 39. Section 11A was inserted by the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985 (c. 66), Schedule 7, paragraph 4.
(iii) where the employer is a company or a limited liability partnership, a winding-up order ... is made or a resolution for voluntary winding-up is passed (or, in the case of a limited liability partnership, a determination for a voluntary winding-up is made) with respect to it or it enters administration, or a receiver of its undertaking is duly appointed, or a voluntary arrangement proposed for the purposes of Part 1 of the Insolvency Act 1986 is approved under that Part.
Words in reg. 43(3)(b)(iii) revoked (15.9.2003) by The Enterprise Act 2002 (Insolvency) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/2096), art. 1(1), Sch. para. 79(b) (with art. 6)
Words in reg. 43(3)(b)(iii) inserted (15.9.2003) by The Enterprise Act 2002 (Insolvency) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/2096), art. 1(1), Sch. para. 79(b) (with art. 6)

Liability of the Board to pay statutory paternity or statutory adoption pay in cases of legal custody or imprisonment
44. Notwithstanding sections 171ZD and 171ZM of the Act, the liability to pay statutory paternity pay or statutory adoption pay, as the case may be, shall be that of the Board and not the employer where there is liability to pay—
(a) statutory adoption pay—
(i) in respect of a period which is subsequent to the last week falling within paragraph (1)(c) of regulation 27, or
(ii) during a period of detention in legal custody by virtue of the provisions of paragraph (2) of that regulation, or
(b) statutory paternity pay—
(i) in respect of a period which is subsequent to the period mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(c) of regulation 18 (cases where there is no liability to pay statutory paternity pay), or
(ii) during a period of detention in legal custody by virtue of paragraph (2) of that regulation.
Reg. 44 substituted (8.3.2024) by The Statutory Paternity Pay (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/121), regs. 2, 16 (with regs. 5(1), 6)

Payments by the Board
45. Where the Board become liable in accordance with regulation 43 or 44 to make payments of statutory paternity pay or, as the case may be, statutory adoption pay to a person, the first payment shall be made as soon as reasonably practicable after they become so liable, and payments thereafter shall be made at weekly intervals, by means of an instrument of payment or by such other means as appears to the Board to be appropriate in the circumstance of any particular case.

Persons unable to act
46. (1) Where in the case of any person—
(a) statutory paternity pay or, as the case may be, statutory adoption pay is payable to him or he is alleged to be entitled to it;
(b) he is unable for the time being to act; and
(c) either—
(i) no receiver has been appointed by the Court of Protection with power to receive statutory paternity pay or, as the case may be, statutory adoption pay on his behalf, or
(ii) in Scotland, his estate is not being administered by any tutor, curator or other guardian acting or appointed in terms of law,
the Board may, upon written application to them by a person who, if a natural person, is over the age of 18, appoint that person to exercise, on behalf of the person unable to act, any right to which he may be entitled under Part 12ZA or, as the case may be, Part 12ZB of the Act and to deal on his behalf with any sums payable to him.
(2) Where the Board have made an appointment under paragraph (1)—
(a) they may at any time in their absolute discretion revoke it;
(b) the person appointed may resign his office after having given one month’s notice in writing to the Board of his intention to do so; and
(c) the appointment shall terminate when the Board are notified that a receiver or other person to whom paragraph (1)(c) applies has been appointed.
(3) Anything required by Part 12ZA or 12ZB of the Act to be done by or to any person who is unable to act may be done by or to the person appointed under this regulation to act on his behalf, and the receipt of the person so appointed shall be a good discharge to the person’s employer or former employer for any sum paid.

Service of notices by post
47. A notice given in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations in writing contained in an envelope which is properly addressed and sent by prepaid post shall be treated as having been given on the day on which it is posted.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
Alan Johnson,
Minister of State for Employment Relations, Industry and the Regions,
Department of Trade and Industry
The Commissioners of Inland Revenue hereby concur
Nick Montagu,
Ann Chant,
Two of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue

(This note is not part of the Regulations)
This instrument contains only regulations made by virtue of sections 2, 4 and 53 of, and paragraphs 8 and 11 of Schedule 7 to, the Employment Act 2002, which come into force on 8th December 2002. The instrument is made before the end of the period of 6 months beginning with the coming into force of those provisions. The regulations in it are therefore exempted by section 173(5)(b) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 from the requirement under section 172 of that Act to refer the proposals to make the regulations to the Social Security Advisory Committee and they are made without reference to the Committee.
These Regulations, made under provisions inserted into the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (“the 1992 Act”) by the Employment Act 2002, make provision relating to statutory paternity pay and statutory adoption pay.
Part 1 of the Regulations is introductory.
Part 2 of the Regulations relates to statutory paternity pay payable in connection with a birth:
regulation 4 sets out the entitlement conditions as regards the relationship with the newborn child and the child’s mother;
regulation 5 provides for a modification of the entitlement conditions in the case of early birth;
regulation 6 specifies the period of payment;
regulation 7 sets out additional notice requirements;
regulation 8 specifies the period within which the statutory paternity pay period must occur (“the qualifying period”);
regulation 9 sets out the evidence of entitlement that is required;
regulation 10 provides for exceptional circumstances in which statutory paternity pay is payable to a person even though he is working for another employer.
Part 3 of the Regulations relates to statutory paternity pay payable in connection with an adoption. Regulations 11 to 16 contain provisions corresponding to those of regulations 4 to 10 relating to statutory paternity pay payable in connection with a birth.
Part 4 of the Regulations contains provisions relating to both types of statutory paternity pay:
regulation 17 provides for the termination of statutory paternity pay where a person has commenced work;
regulation 18 provides for there to be no liability for payment of statutory paternity pay where there is entitlement to statutory sick pay, where the person claiming it has died, or where he has been detained in legal custody or imprisoned;
regulation 19 specifies the payments to be treated as contractual remuneration for the purposes of section 171ZG of the 1992 Act, which prevents both statutory paternity pay and contractual remuneration being payable in respect of the same period;
regulation 20 provides for liability to make payments of statutory paternity pay in cases where an employee’s contract of service is brought to an end solely or mainly for the purpose of avoiding liability for statutory paternity pay.
Part 5 of the Regulations relates to statutory adoption pay:
regulation 21 specifies the period of payment;
regulation 22 specifies how the adoption pay period is to be terminated where the adoption is disrupted;
regulation 23 sets out additional notice requirements;
regulation 24 sets out the evidence of entitlement that is required;
regulation 25 has a provision corresponding to those in regulations 10 and 16 for statutory paternity pay;
regulation 26 has a provision corresponding to that of regulation 17 for statutory paternity pay;
regulation 27 provides for there to be no liability to pay statutory adoption pay where there is entitlement to statutory sick pay, where the person claiming it has died, or, with some exceptions, during a period when the person entitled to statutory adoption pay is detained in legal custody or imprisoned;
regulation 28 has a provision corresponding to that of regulation 19 for statutory paternity pay;
regulation 29 provides for an earlier start to the adoption pay period where the employment terminates before the chosen adoption pay period has begun;
regulation 30 has a provision corresponding to that of regulation 20 for statutory paternity pay.
Part 6 of the Regulations contains, apart from one provision relating only to statutory adoption pay, provisions relating to both statutory paternity pay and statutory adoption pay:
regulation 31 introduces Part 6;
regulation 32 makes provision for persons who are, and are not, to be treated as employees in connection with statutory paternity pay and statutory adoption pay;
regulations 33 to 37 make provision as to what is to be treated as continuous employment;
regulation 38 provides for cases where two or more employers or two or more contracts of service are to be treated as one;
regulation 39 defines earnings, and regulation 40 sets out how normal weekly earnings are to be calculated;
regulations 41 and 42 set out how payment of statutory paternity pay and statutory adoption pay is to be made, and the time of payment;
regulation 43 provides for the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (“the Board”) to pay statutory paternity pay or statutory adoption pay where the employer fails to make payment, or becomes insolvent;
regulation 44 provides for the Board to pay statutory adoption pay where there is liability to pay it in cases involving detention in legal custody or imprisonment;
regulation 45 sets out how the Board is to make payments, and the time of payment;
regulation 46 provides for the Board to appoint a person to act on behalf of a person unable to act who is or may be entitled to statutory paternity pay or statutory adoption pay;
regulation 47 provides for a notice properly sent by post to be treated as having been given on the day on which it is posted.

Regulations applied (with modifications) (8.2.2011) by The Investment Bank Special Administration Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/245), reg. 1, Sch. 6 Pt. 1 (with reg. 27(a))
Regulations applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2014/2934, reg. 1, Pt. 3 (as amended (3.1.2019) by The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Remedial) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1413), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 7)
Regulations applied (with modifications) (8.7.2021) by The Payment and Electronic Money Institution Insolvency Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/716), reg. 2, Sch. 3 paras. 2, 3 (with reg. 5); (as amended (4.1.2024) by The Payment and Electronic Money Institution Insolvency (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1399), regs. 1(2), 4)
Regs. 17-19 applied (30.5.2003) by The Statutory Paternity Pay (Adoption) and Statutory Adoption Pay (Adoptions from Overseas) (No. 2) Regulation 2003 (S.I. 2003/1194), regs. 1, 3(1)–(3)
Regs. 26-28 applied (30.5.2003) by The Statutory Paternity Pay (Adoption) and Statutory Adoption Pay (Adoptions from Overseas) (No. 2) Regulation 2003 (S.I. 2003/1194), regs. 1, 3(1)–(3)
Regs. 31-39 applied (30.5.2003) by The Statutory Paternity Pay (Adoption) and Statutory Adoption Pay (Adoptions from Overseas) (No. 2) Regulation 2003 (S.I. 2003/1194), regs. 1, 3(1)–(3)
Reg. 40 applied (with modifications) (30.5.2003) by The Statutory Paternity Pay (Adoption) and Statutory Adoption Pay (Adoptions from Overseas) (No. 2) Regulation 2003 (S.I. 2003/1194), regs. 1, 3
Regs. 41-47 applied (30.5.2003) by The Statutory Paternity Pay (Adoption) and Statutory Adoption Pay (Adoptions from Overseas) (No. 2) Regulation 2003 (S.I. 2003/1194), regs. 1, 3(1)–(3)