Challenge to parental leave rules

The TUC has lodged a claim in the High Court to challenge the government in court over the new parental leave regulations after it had received a legal opinion that they are in breach of EU law. The opinion, given by none other than the prime minister's wife, QC and part-time judge Cherie Booth, says that the UK government's decision to limit the right to parental leave to those whose children were born on or after 15 December 1999, is contrary to EU law. A similar challenge has been launched in Ireland where the government has also attempted to put limits on the right to claim.