This is the third Commencement Order under the Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6) (“the 2014 Act”). Certain provisions came into force on the passing of the 2014 Act. Provisions commenced by previous Commencement Orders are noted below.

Article 3 commences certain sections in Parts 7 and 8 and certain paragraphs in Schedule 7 on 30th June 2014; these provisions are commenced for the purposes of making regulations. In addition, article 3 commences sections 131 to 134 (right to request flexible working) on 30th June 2014, which is also the date that the Flexible Working Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/1398) come into force.

Article 4 commences certain sections in Part 8 (time off work: ante-natal care etc.) on 1st October 2014.

Article 5 commences certain paragraphs in Schedule 7.

Article 6 commences certain sections in Parts 7 and 8 on 5th April 2015 and article 7 commences certain paragraphs of Schedule 7 on the same date.

Article 8 provides that certain paragraphs in Schedule 7 commence on the date on which Northern Ireland brings into force legislation equivalent to the statutory shared parental pay provisions in Part 12ZC of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992.

Article 9 to 19 sets out the transitional and saving provisions which apply to the commencement provided for in articles 3 to 8.