Magic Circle firm Allen & Overy has joined rival firms Ashurst and Linklaters in updating its parental leave policies including increasing paternity leave from two to 12 weeks.

The new provisions, set to come into effect on 1 March this year, are for the firm’s U.K. and United Arab Emirates offices. They follow a comprehensive review of existing policies and feedback gathered from across the firm through focus groups, interviews and questionnaires, the firm said.