As the evenings grow longer and the mornings brighter, it’s that time of year again when we adjust our clocks. But did you know that the rules for this change are governed by legislation? The Summer Time Act 1972 sets out the official guidelines for when we move the clocks forward and back in the UK.
Under the current rules, which have been in place since 11 March 2002, British Summer Time (BST) begins at 1am on the last Sunday in March, when the clocks go forward one hour. The clocks then go back one hour at 1am GMT (2am BST) on the last Sunday in October, marking the return to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Before this simplified system was introduced, things were a bit more complex. Clocks used to go forward at 2am on the third Sunday in March, unless that Sunday coincided with Easter, in which case it would be the second Sunday. The return to GMT happened at 2am GMT (3am BST) on the fourth Sunday in October.
These changes not only highlight how legal frameworks influence our daily lives, but also underscore the importance of clarity in legislation, something we at White Collar Legal are passionate about.
So this year, don’t forget: last Sunday in March, clocks go forward. Last Sunday in October, they go back.
For support on this matter, please email us at: philip@whitecollarlegalandadmin.com or phone 0151 230 8931.
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