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UK Law Reference
All sections of Employment Rights Act 1996
1996 c. 18, s.236
2 territorial versions

Section 236 — Orders and regulations.

This section has 2 current versions with different territorial extents. Both are shown; check which applies to your part of the UK.

Version for England, Wales and Scotland

Extent: E+W+S

This version in force from 2026-04-06

Snapshot: 2026-08-24

Reproduced from legislation.gov.uk (Crown Copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0). Amendments made after 2026-08-24 may not be reflected — always check the official text .

(1) Any power conferred by any provision of this Act to make any order (other than an Order in Council) or regulations is exercisable by statutory instrument.

(2) A statutory instrument made under any power conferred by this Act to make an Order in Council or other order or regulations, except—

(a) an Order in Council or other order [F1 or regulations] to which subsection (3) applies,

(aa) [F2 regulations under section 27R,]

(b) an order under section 35 or Part II of Schedule 2, or

(c) [F3 an order made in accordance with section 208,]

is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(3) No recommendation shall be made to Her Majesty to make an Order in Council under section 192(3), and no order [F1 or regulations] shall be made under section [F4 27B,] [F5 27BA(3)(a)(ii) or (d), (6) or (16), 27BB(2), (5) or (9)(c), 27BD(6), 27BJ(1)(b), (2)(a) or (4), 27BK(3), 27BP(1), (2)(c), (3)(a), (6) or (9), 27BR(1)(c), 27BU(2), 27BZ,] [F6 27F, 27S,] [F7 41A that include provision under subsection (4)(c) of that section,] [F8 43FA (but see subsection (3A)),][F9 43K(4),] [F10 47C, [F11 49B,] [F12 49D,] [F13 63D, 63F(7),] 71, 72, 73, [F14 75A, 75B,] [F15 75E, 75F(16), 75G, 75H(16), (17) or (18)] 76, [F16 [F17 80A, ... 80B [F18 , 80EA], [F19 80EF,] ... 80G]] [F20 80J,] 99,] [F21 104I, 104J(5)(f), 104K(7)(d),] [F22 120(2), 124(2)] [F23 , 125(7) [F24 , 202A] or 205A(11) or (12)] or (subject to subsection (4)) section 209, [F25 or under paragraph 1(3)(b), (6) or (11), 2(2), (5) or (7)(c), 5(6), 12(1), 13(3), 14(2), 15(3), 16(4), 22(1), (3) or (5), 24(1)(c) or (2), 26(9), 27(2) or 28(2) of Schedule A1,] unless a draft of the Order in Council [F26 , order or regulations] has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

(3A) [F27 Subsection (3) does not apply to regulations under section 43FA that contain only the provision mentioned in section 43FA(2), (3) or (4).]

(4) Subsection (3) does not apply to an order under section 209(1)(b) which specifies only provisions contained in Part XI.

(4A) [F28 A statutory instrument containing an order or regulations under this Act to which subsection (3) applies may include an order or regulations under this Act to which subsection (3) would not otherwise apply.]

(4B) [F28 In such a case, the statutory instrument is to be proceeded with as if all of the orders and regulations contained in it were orders or regulations to which subsection (3) applies.]

(5) Any power conferred by this Act which is exercisable by statutory instrument includes power to make such incidental, supplementary or transitional provisions as appear to the authority exercising the power to be necessary or expedient.

Amendment notes

  1. F1 Words in s. 236(2)(a)(3) inserted (15.12.1999) by 1999 c. 26, s. 9, Sch. 4 Pt. III para. 42(2)(3)(a); S.I. 1999/2830, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II (with Sch. 3 paras. 10, 11)
  2. F2 S. 236(2)(aa) inserted (E.W.S.) (31.7.2023 for specified purposes, 1.10.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 (c. 13), ss. 12(2)(e)(i), 14(2); S.I. 2023/876, reg. 3(c); S.I. 2024/829, reg. 3(l)
  3. F3 S. 236(2)(c) repealed (prosp.) by 1999 c. 26, ss. 44, 45(1), Sch. 9(10)
  4. F4 Word in s. 236(3) inserted (26.5.2015) by Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (c. 26), ss. 153(3), 164(1) (with s. 153(2)); S.I. 2015/1329, reg. 2(g)
  5. F5 Words in s. 236(3) inserted (6.1.2026) by Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), s. 159(3), Sch. 2 para. 30(a); S.I. 2026/3, reg. 2(36)(e)
  6. F6 Words in s. 236(3) inserted (E.W.S.) (31.7.2023 for specified purposes, 1.10.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 (c. 13), ss. 12(2)(e)(ii), 14(2); S.I. 2023/876, reg. 3(c); S.I. 2024/829, reg. 3(l)
  7. F7 Words in s. 236(3) inserted (4.5.2016 for specified purposes) by Enterprise Act 2016 (c. 12), s. 44(1)(d), Sch. 5 para. 11
  8. F8 Words in s. 236(3) inserted (1.1.2016) by Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (c. 26), ss. 148(3)(a), 164(1); S.I. 2015/2029, reg. 2(a)
  9. F9 Words in s. 236(3) inserted (E.W.S.) (25.6.2013) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), ss. 20(8), 103(2) (with s. 24(6))
  10. F10 Words in s. 236(3) substituted (15.12.1999) by 1999 c. 26, s. 9, Sch. 4 Pt. III para. 42(3)(b); S.I. 1999/2830, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II (with Sch. 3 paras. 10, 11)
  11. F11 Word in s. 236(3) inserted (26.5.2015) by Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (c. 26), ss. 149(4), 164(1); S.I. 2015/1329, reg. 2(e)
  12. F12 Word in s. 236(3) inserted (E.W.S.) (24.7.2023) by Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Act 2023 (c. 17), ss. 1(8), 3(2)
  13. F13 Words in s. 236(3) inserted (6.4.2010 for certain purposes and otherwise prosp.) by Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (c. 22), ss. 40, 269(4), Sch. 1 para. 11; S.I. 2010/303, art. 4, Sch. 3 (with arts. 8-14) (as amended by S.I. 2010/1151, art. 22)
  14. F14 Words in s. 236(3) inserted (8.12.2002) by Employment Act 2002 (c. 22), s. 53, Sch. 7 para. 49(2); S.I. 2002/2866, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. 2
  15. F15 Words in s. 236(3) inserted (30.6.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), ss. 117(2), 139(6); S.I. 2014/1640, art. 3(1)(a)
  16. F16 Words in s. 236(3) inserted (E.W.S.) (8.12.2002 for certain purposes and 6.4.2003 otherwise) by Employment Act 2002 (c. 22), s. 53, Sch. 7 para. 49(3); S.I. 2002/2866, art. 2(2)(3), Sch. 1 Pts. 2, 3
  17. F17 Words in s. 236(3) substituted (E.W.S.) (3.3.2010) by Work and Families Act 2006 (c. 18), ss. 11, 19, Sch. 1 para. 44; S.I. 2010/495, art. 3(c)
  18. F18 Word in s. 236(3) inserted (18.1.2020) by Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act 2018 (c. 24), s. 2(2), Sch. para. 3; S.I. 2020/45, reg. 2
  19. F19 Word in s. 236(3) inserted (17.1.2025) by Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 (c. 20), s. 3(3), Sch. para. 3; S.I. 2025/41, reg. 2
  20. F20 Word in s. 236(3) inserted (4.12.2023) by Carer’s Leave Act 2023 (c. 18), s. 3(3), Sch. para. 3; S.I. 2023/1283, reg. 2
  21. F21 Words in s. 236(3) inserted (6.1.2026) by Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), ss. 28(6), 159(3); S.I. 2026/3, reg. 2(13)(c)
  22. F22 Words in s. 236(3) repealed (prosp.) by 1999 c. 26, ss. 44, 45(1), Sch. 9(10)
  23. F23 Words in s. 236(3) substituted (E.W.S.) (1.9.2013) by Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013 (c. 27), ss. 31(6), 35(1); S.I. 2013/1766, art. 2
  24. F24 Words in s. 236(3) inserted (6.4.2026) by Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), ss. 24(5), 159(3); S.I. 2026/323, reg. 3(1)(3)(b)
  25. F25 Words in s. 236(3) inserted (6.1.2026) by Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), s. 159(3), Sch. 2 para. 30(b); S.I. 2026/3, reg. 2(36)(e)
  26. F26 Words in s. 236(3) substituted (15.12.1999) by 1999 c. 26, s. 9, Sch. 4 Pt. III para. 42(3)(c); S.I. 1999/2830, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II (with Sch. 3 paras. 10, 11)
  27. F27 S. 236(3A) inserted (1.1.2016) by Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (c. 26), ss. 148(3)(b), 164(1); S.I. 2015/2029, reg. 2(a)
  28. F28 S. 236(4A)(4B) inserted (6.1.2026) by Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), ss. 153, 159(3); S.I. 2026/3, reg. 2(35)

Version for Northern Ireland

Extent: N.I.

This version in force from 2026-04-06

Snapshot: 2026-08-24

Reproduced from legislation.gov.uk (Crown Copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0). Amendments made after 2026-08-24 may not be reflected — always check the official text .

(1) Any power conferred by any provision of this Act to make any order (other than an Order in Council) or regulations is exercisable by statutory instrument.

(2) A statutory instrument made under any power conferred by this Act to make an Order in Council or other order or regulations, except—

(a) an Order in Council or other order [F1 or regulations] to which subsection (3) applies,

(b) an order under section 35 or Part II of Schedule 2, or

(c) [F2 an order made in accordance with section 208,]

is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(3) No recommendation shall be made to Her Majesty to make an Order in Council under section 192(3), and no order [F1 or regulations] shall be made under section [F3 27B,] [F4 27BA(3)(a)(ii) or (d), (6) or (16), 27BB(2), (5) or (9)(c), 27BD(6), 27BJ(1)(b), (2)(a) or (4), 27BK(3), 27BP(1), (2)(c), (3)(a), (6) or (9), 27BR(1)(c), 27BU(2), 27BZ,] [F5 41A that include provision under subsection (4)(c) of that section,] [F6 47C, [F7 49B,] [F8 63D, 63F(7),] 71, 72, 73, [F9 75A, 75B,] [F10 75E, 75F(16), 75G, 75H(16), (17) or (18)] 76, [F11 80A, 80B [F12 , 80EA], [F13 80EF,] 80G,] [F14 80J,] 99,] [F15 104I, 104J(5)(f), 104K(7)(d),] [F16 120(2), 124(2)] or 125(7) [F17 , 202A] or (subject to subsection (4)) section 209, [F18 or under paragraph 1(3)(b), (6) or (11), 2(2), (5) or (7)(c), 5(6), 12(1), 13(3), 14(2), 15(3), 16(4), 22(1), (3) or (5), 24(1)(c) or (2), 26(9), 27(2) or 28(2) of Schedule A1,] unless a draft of the Order in Council [F19 , order or regulations] has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

(3A) [F20 Subsection (3) does not apply to regulations under section 43FA that contain only the provision mentioned in section 43FA(2), (3) or (4).]

(4) Subsection (3) does not apply to an order under section 209(1)(b) which specifies only provisions contained in Part XI.

(4A) [F21 A statutory instrument containing an order or regulations under this Act to which subsection (3) applies may include an order or regulations under this Act to which subsection (3) would not otherwise apply.]

(4B) [F21 In such a case, the statutory instrument is to be proceeded with as if all of the orders and regulations contained in it were orders or regulations to which subsection (3) applies.]

(5) Any power conferred by this Act which is exercisable by statutory instrument includes power to make such incidental, supplementary or transitional provisions as appear to the authority exercising the power to be necessary or expedient.

Amendment notes

  1. F1 Words in s. 236(2)(a)(3) inserted (15.12.1999) by 1999 c. 26, s. 9, Sch. 4 Pt. III para. 42(2)(3)(a); S.I. 1999/2830, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II (with Sch. 3 paras. 10, 11)
  2. F2 S. 236(2)(c) repealed (prosp.) by 1999 c. 26, ss. 44, 45(1), Sch. 9(10)
  3. F3 Word in s. 236(3) inserted (26.5.2015) by Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (c. 26), ss. 153(3), 164(1) (with s. 153(2)); S.I. 2015/1329, reg. 2(g)
  4. F4 Words in s. 236(3) inserted (6.1.2026) by Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), s. 159(3), Sch. 2 para. 30(a); S.I. 2026/3, reg. 2(36)(e)
  5. F5 Words in s. 236(3) inserted (4.5.2016 for specified purposes) by Enterprise Act 2016 (c. 12), s. 44(1)(d), Sch. 5 para. 11
  6. F6 Words in s. 236(3) substituted (15.12.1999) by 1999 c. 26, s. 9, Sch. 4 Pt. III para. 42(3)(b); S.I. 1999/2830, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II (with Sch. 3 paras. 10, 11)
  7. F7 Word in s. 236(3) inserted (26.5.2015) by Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (c. 26), ss. 149(4), 164(1); S.I. 2015/1329, reg. 2(e)
  8. F8 Words in s. 236(3) inserted (6.4.2010 for certain purposes and otherwise prosp.) by Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (c. 22), ss. 40, 269(4), Sch. 1 para. 11; S.I. 2010/303, art. 4, Sch. 3 (with arts. 8-14) (as amended by S.I. 2010/1151, art. 22)
  9. F9 Words in s. 236(3) inserted (8.12.2002) by Employment Act 2002 (c. 22), s. 53, Sch. 7 para. 49(2); S.I. 2002/2866, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. 2
  10. F10 Words in s. 236(3) inserted (30.6.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), ss. 117(2), 139(6); S.I. 2014/1640, art. 3(1)(a)
  11. F11 Words in s. 236(3) inserted (E.W.S.) (8.12.2002 for certain purposes and 6.4.2003 otherwise) by Employment Act 2002 (c. 22), s. 53, Sch. 7 para. 49(3); S.I. 2002/2866, art. 2(2)(3), Sch. 1 Pts. 2, 3
  12. F12 Word in s. 236(3) inserted (18.1.2020) by Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act 2018 (c. 24), s. 2(2), Sch. para. 3; S.I. 2020/45, reg. 2
  13. F13 Word in s. 236(3) inserted (17.1.2025) by Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 (c. 20), s. 3(3), Sch. para. 3; S.I. 2025/41, reg. 2
  14. F14 Word in s. 236(3) inserted (4.12.2023) by Carer’s Leave Act 2023 (c. 18), s. 3(3), Sch. para. 3; S.I. 2023/1283, reg. 2
  15. F15 Words in s. 236(3) inserted (6.1.2026) by Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), ss. 28(6), 159(3); S.I. 2026/3, reg. 2(13)(c)
  16. F16 Words in s. 236(3) repealed (prosp.) by 1999 c. 26, ss. 44, 45(1), Sch. 9(10)
  17. F17 Words in s. 236(3) inserted (6.4.2026) by Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), ss. 24(5), 159(3); S.I. 2026/323, reg. 3(1)(3)(b)
  18. F18 Words in s. 236(3) inserted (6.1.2026) by Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), s. 159(3), Sch. 2 para. 30(b); S.I. 2026/3, reg. 2(36)(e)
  19. F19 Words in s. 236(3) substituted (15.12.1999) by 1999 c. 26, s. 9, Sch. 4 Pt. III para. 42(3)(c); S.I. 1999/2830, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II (with Sch. 3 paras. 10, 11)
  20. F20 S. 236(3A) inserted (1.1.2016) by Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (c. 26), ss. 148(3)(b), 164(1); S.I. 2015/2029, reg. 2(a)
  21. F21 S. 236(4A)(4B) inserted (6.1.2026) by Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), ss. 153, 159(3); S.I. 2026/3, reg. 2(35)