No longer in force.

A period of between two and 26 weeks' statutory leave which can be taken by an eligible employee to care for their child during the "window" that starts 20 weeks after, and ends 12 months after, the child's date of birth or placement for adoption, as long as the child's mother or adopter has returned to work.

APL is not available for babies due on or after 5 April 2015 or children placed for adoption after that date, following its replacement by the shared parental leave scheme.

For more information on paternity leave, see Practice note, Paternity leave.