(1) Subject to subsection (3), entitlement to the minimum period of maternity leave shall be subject to a pregnant employee -

(a) having, as soon as reasonably practicable but not later than four weeks before the commencement of maternity leave, notified in writing her employer (or caused her employer to be so notified) of her intention to take maternity leave; and

(b) having, at the time of the notification, given to her employer or produced for her employer's inspection a medical or other appropriate certificate confirming the pregnancy and specifying the expected week of confinement.

(2) A notification under this section may be revoked by a further notification in writing by the employee concerned to her employer.

(3) A notification under this section required to be effected by a member of a local authority to the ocal authority shall be effected by giving the notification to the meetings administrator, referred to in section 46 of the Act of 2001, of the local authority.