diff --git a/github/github-accessors.go b/github/github-accessors.go
index e28fd275682..b645390e83a 100644
--- a/github/github-accessors.go
+++ b/github/github-accessors.go
@@ -20246,6 +20246,22 @@ func (r *RequiredStatusCheck) GetAppID() int64 {
 	return *r.AppID
 }
 
+// GetChecks returns the Checks field if it's non-nil, zero value otherwise.
+func (r *RequiredStatusChecks) GetChecks() []*RequiredStatusCheck {
+	if r == nil || r.Checks == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return *r.Checks
+}
+
+// GetContexts returns the Contexts field if it's non-nil, zero value otherwise.
+func (r *RequiredStatusChecks) GetContexts() []string {
+	if r == nil || r.Contexts == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return *r.Contexts
+}
+
 // GetContextsURL returns the ContextsURL field if it's non-nil, zero value otherwise.
 func (r *RequiredStatusChecks) GetContextsURL() string {
 	if r == nil || r.ContextsURL == nil {
diff --git a/github/github-accessors_test.go b/github/github-accessors_test.go
index 4c349a05ae8..8d5b438054d 100644
--- a/github/github-accessors_test.go
+++ b/github/github-accessors_test.go
@@ -23517,6 +23517,26 @@ func TestRequiredStatusCheck_GetAppID(tt *testing.T) {
 	r.GetAppID()
 }
 
+func TestRequiredStatusChecks_GetChecks(tt *testing.T) {
+	var zeroValue []*RequiredStatusCheck
+	r := &RequiredStatusChecks{Checks: &zeroValue}
+	r.GetChecks()
+	r = &RequiredStatusChecks{}
+	r.GetChecks()
+	r = nil
+	r.GetChecks()
+}
+
+func TestRequiredStatusChecks_GetContexts(tt *testing.T) {
+	var zeroValue []string
+	r := &RequiredStatusChecks{Contexts: &zeroValue}
+	r.GetContexts()
+	r = &RequiredStatusChecks{}
+	r.GetContexts()
+	r = nil
+	r.GetContexts()
+}
+
 func TestRequiredStatusChecks_GetContextsURL(tt *testing.T) {
 	var zeroValue string
 	r := &RequiredStatusChecks{ContextsURL: &zeroValue}
diff --git a/github/repos.go b/github/repos.go
index b492e55b464..2fb4c6f190a 100644
--- a/github/repos.go
+++ b/github/repos.go
@@ -1191,20 +1191,20 @@ type RequiredStatusChecks struct {
 	// Require branches to be up to date before merging. (Required.)
 	Strict bool `json:"strict"`
 	// The list of status checks to require in order to merge into this
-	// branch. (Deprecated. Note: only one of Contexts/Checks can be populated,
-	// but at least one must be populated).
-	Contexts []string `json:"contexts,omitempty"`
+	// branch. An empty slice is valid. (Deprecated. Note: only one of
+	// Contexts/Checks can be populated, but at least one must be populated).
+	Contexts *[]string `json:"contexts,omitempty"`
 	// The list of status checks to require in order to merge into this
-	// branch.
-	Checks      []*RequiredStatusCheck `json:"checks,omitempty"`
-	ContextsURL *string                `json:"contexts_url,omitempty"`
-	URL         *string                `json:"url,omitempty"`
+	// branch. An empty slice is valid.
+	Checks      *[]*RequiredStatusCheck `json:"checks,omitempty"`
+	ContextsURL *string                 `json:"contexts_url,omitempty"`
+	URL         *string                 `json:"url,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // RequiredStatusChecksRequest represents a request to edit a protected branch's status checks.
 type RequiredStatusChecksRequest struct {
 	Strict *bool `json:"strict,omitempty"`
-	// Note: if both Contexts and Checks are populated,
+	// Deprecated. Note: if both Contexts and Checks are populated,
 	// the GitHub API will only use Checks.
 	Contexts []string               `json:"contexts,omitempty"`
 	Checks   []*RequiredStatusCheck `json:"checks,omitempty"`
diff --git a/github/repos_test.go b/github/repos_test.go
index 2e61aeb1b1f..0ea381ebb56 100644
--- a/github/repos_test.go
+++ b/github/repos_test.go
@@ -1207,8 +1207,8 @@ func TestRepositoriesService_GetBranchProtection(t *testing.T) {
 			want := &Protection{
 				RequiredStatusChecks: &RequiredStatusChecks{
 					Strict:   true,
-					Contexts: []string{"continuous-integration"},
-					Checks: []*RequiredStatusCheck{
+					Contexts: &[]string{"continuous-integration"},
+					Checks: &[]*RequiredStatusCheck{
 						{
 							Context: "continuous-integration",
 						},
@@ -1334,8 +1334,8 @@ func TestRepositoriesService_GetBranchProtection_noDismissalRestrictions(t *test
 		want := &Protection{
 			RequiredStatusChecks: &RequiredStatusChecks{
 				Strict:   true,
-				Contexts: []string{"continuous-integration"},
-				Checks: []*RequiredStatusCheck{
+				Contexts: &[]string{"continuous-integration"},
+				Checks: &[]*RequiredStatusCheck{
 					{
 						Context: "continuous-integration",
 					},
@@ -1421,7 +1421,7 @@ func TestRepositoriesService_UpdateBranchProtection_Contexts(t *testing.T) {
 			input := &ProtectionRequest{
 				RequiredStatusChecks: &RequiredStatusChecks{
 					Strict:   true,
-					Contexts: []string{"continuous-integration"},
+					Contexts: &[]string{"continuous-integration"},
 				},
 				RequiredPullRequestReviews: &PullRequestReviewsEnforcementRequest{
 					DismissStaleReviews: true,
@@ -1517,8 +1517,8 @@ func TestRepositoriesService_UpdateBranchProtection_Contexts(t *testing.T) {
 			want := &Protection{
 				RequiredStatusChecks: &RequiredStatusChecks{
 					Strict:   true,
-					Contexts: []string{"continuous-integration"},
-					Checks: []*RequiredStatusCheck{
+					Contexts: &[]string{"continuous-integration"},
+					Checks: &[]*RequiredStatusCheck{
 						{
 							Context: "continuous-integration",
 						},
@@ -1592,6 +1592,184 @@ func TestRepositoriesService_UpdateBranchProtection_Contexts(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestRepositoriesService_UpdateBranchProtection_EmptyContexts(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		branch  string
+		urlPath string
+	}{
+		{branch: "b", urlPath: "/repos/o/r/branches/b/protection"},
+		{branch: "feat/branch-50%", urlPath: "/repos/o/r/branches/feat/branch-50%/protection"},
+	}
+
+	for _, test := range tests {
+		t.Run(test.branch, func(t *testing.T) {
+			client, mux, _, teardown := setup()
+			defer teardown()
+
+			input := &ProtectionRequest{
+				RequiredStatusChecks: &RequiredStatusChecks{
+					Strict:   true,
+					Contexts: &[]string{},
+				},
+				RequiredPullRequestReviews: &PullRequestReviewsEnforcementRequest{
+					DismissStaleReviews: true,
+					DismissalRestrictionsRequest: &DismissalRestrictionsRequest{
+						Users: &[]string{"uu"},
+						Teams: &[]string{"tt"},
+						Apps:  &[]string{"aa"},
+					},
+					BypassPullRequestAllowancesRequest: &BypassPullRequestAllowancesRequest{
+						Users: []string{"uuu"},
+						Teams: []string{"ttt"},
+						Apps:  []string{"aaa"},
+					},
+				},
+				Restrictions: &BranchRestrictionsRequest{
+					Users: []string{"u"},
+					Teams: []string{"t"},
+					Apps:  []string{"a"},
+				},
+				BlockCreations:   Bool(true),
+				LockBranch:       Bool(true),
+				AllowForkSyncing: Bool(true),
+			}
+
+			mux.HandleFunc(test.urlPath, func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+				v := new(ProtectionRequest)
+				assertNilError(t, json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(v))
+
+				testMethod(t, r, "PUT")
+				if !cmp.Equal(v, input) {
+					t.Errorf("Request body = %+v, want %+v", v, input)
+				}
+
+				// TODO: remove custom Accept header when this API fully launches
+				testHeader(t, r, "Accept", mediaTypeRequiredApprovingReviewsPreview)
+				fmt.Fprintf(w, `{
+					"required_status_checks":{
+						"strict":true,
+						"contexts":[],
+						"checks": null
+					},
+					"required_pull_request_reviews":{
+						"dismissal_restrictions":{
+							"users":[{
+								"id":3,
+								"login":"uu"
+							}],
+							"teams":[{
+								"id":4,
+								"slug":"tt"
+							}],
+							"apps":[{
+								"id":5,
+								"slug":"aa"
+							}]
+						},
+						"dismiss_stale_reviews":true,
+						"require_code_owner_reviews":true,
+						"bypass_pull_request_allowances": {
+							"users":[{"id":10,"login":"uuu"}],
+							"teams":[{"id":20,"slug":"ttt"}],
+							"apps":[{"id":30,"slug":"aaa"}]
+						}
+					},
+					"restrictions":{
+						"users":[{"id":1,"login":"u"}],
+						"teams":[{"id":2,"slug":"t"}],
+						"apps":[{"id":3,"slug":"a"}]
+					},
+					"block_creations": {
+						"enabled": true
+					},
+					"lock_branch": {
+						"enabled": true
+					},
+					"allow_fork_syncing": {
+						"enabled": true
+					}
+				}`)
+			})
+
+			ctx := context.Background()
+			protection, _, err := client.Repositories.UpdateBranchProtection(ctx, "o", "r", test.branch, input)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Errorf("Repositories.UpdateBranchProtection returned error: %v", err)
+			}
+
+			want := &Protection{
+				RequiredStatusChecks: &RequiredStatusChecks{
+					Strict:   true,
+					Contexts: &[]string{},
+				},
+				RequiredPullRequestReviews: &PullRequestReviewsEnforcement{
+					DismissStaleReviews: true,
+					DismissalRestrictions: &DismissalRestrictions{
+						Users: []*User{
+							{Login: String("uu"), ID: Int64(3)},
+						},
+						Teams: []*Team{
+							{Slug: String("tt"), ID: Int64(4)},
+						},
+						Apps: []*App{
+							{Slug: String("aa"), ID: Int64(5)},
+						},
+					},
+					RequireCodeOwnerReviews: true,
+					BypassPullRequestAllowances: &BypassPullRequestAllowances{
+						Users: []*User{
+							{Login: String("uuu"), ID: Int64(10)},
+						},
+						Teams: []*Team{
+							{Slug: String("ttt"), ID: Int64(20)},
+						},
+						Apps: []*App{
+							{Slug: String("aaa"), ID: Int64(30)},
+						},
+					},
+				},
+				Restrictions: &BranchRestrictions{
+					Users: []*User{
+						{Login: String("u"), ID: Int64(1)},
+					},
+					Teams: []*Team{
+						{Slug: String("t"), ID: Int64(2)},
+					},
+					Apps: []*App{
+						{Slug: String("a"), ID: Int64(3)},
+					},
+				},
+				BlockCreations: &BlockCreations{
+					Enabled: Bool(true),
+				},
+				LockBranch: &LockBranch{
+					Enabled: Bool(true),
+				},
+				AllowForkSyncing: &AllowForkSyncing{
+					Enabled: Bool(true),
+				},
+			}
+			if !cmp.Equal(protection, want) {
+				t.Errorf("Repositories.UpdateBranchProtection returned %+v, want %+v", protection, want)
+			}
+
+			const methodName = "UpdateBranchProtection"
+			testBadOptions(t, methodName, func() (err error) {
+				_, _, err = client.Repositories.UpdateBranchProtection(ctx, "\n", "\n", "\n", input)
+				return err
+			})
+
+			testNewRequestAndDoFailure(t, methodName, client, func() (*Response, error) {
+				got, resp, err := client.Repositories.UpdateBranchProtection(ctx, "o", "r", test.branch, input)
+				if got != nil {
+					t.Errorf("testNewRequestAndDoFailure %v = %#v, want nil", methodName, got)
+				}
+				return resp, err
+			})
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestRepositoriesService_UpdateBranchProtection_Checks(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		branch  string
@@ -1609,7 +1787,7 @@ func TestRepositoriesService_UpdateBranchProtection_Checks(t *testing.T) {
 			input := &ProtectionRequest{
 				RequiredStatusChecks: &RequiredStatusChecks{
 					Strict: true,
-					Checks: []*RequiredStatusCheck{
+					Checks: &[]*RequiredStatusCheck{
 						{
 							Context: "continuous-integration",
 						},
@@ -1697,8 +1875,8 @@ func TestRepositoriesService_UpdateBranchProtection_Checks(t *testing.T) {
 			want := &Protection{
 				RequiredStatusChecks: &RequiredStatusChecks{
 					Strict:   true,
-					Contexts: []string{"continuous-integration"},
-					Checks: []*RequiredStatusCheck{
+					Contexts: &[]string{"continuous-integration"},
+					Checks: &[]*RequiredStatusCheck{
 						{
 							Context: "continuous-integration",
 						},
@@ -1749,6 +1927,149 @@ func TestRepositoriesService_UpdateBranchProtection_Checks(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestRepositoriesService_UpdateBranchProtection_EmptyChecks(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		branch  string
+		urlPath string
+	}{
+		{branch: "b", urlPath: "/repos/o/r/branches/b/protection"},
+		{branch: "feat/branch-50%", urlPath: "/repos/o/r/branches/feat/branch-50%/protection"},
+	}
+
+	for _, test := range tests {
+		t.Run(test.branch, func(t *testing.T) {
+			client, mux, _, teardown := setup()
+			defer teardown()
+
+			input := &ProtectionRequest{
+				RequiredStatusChecks: &RequiredStatusChecks{
+					Strict: true,
+					Checks: &[]*RequiredStatusCheck{},
+				},
+				RequiredPullRequestReviews: &PullRequestReviewsEnforcementRequest{
+					DismissStaleReviews: true,
+					DismissalRestrictionsRequest: &DismissalRestrictionsRequest{
+						Users: &[]string{"uu"},
+						Teams: &[]string{"tt"},
+						Apps:  &[]string{"aa"},
+					},
+					BypassPullRequestAllowancesRequest: &BypassPullRequestAllowancesRequest{
+						Users: []string{"uuu"},
+						Teams: []string{"ttt"},
+						Apps:  []string{"aaa"},
+					},
+				},
+				Restrictions: &BranchRestrictionsRequest{
+					Users: []string{"u"},
+					Teams: []string{"t"},
+					Apps:  []string{"a"},
+				},
+			}
+
+			mux.HandleFunc(test.urlPath, func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+				v := new(ProtectionRequest)
+				assertNilError(t, json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(v))
+
+				testMethod(t, r, "PUT")
+				if !cmp.Equal(v, input) {
+					t.Errorf("Request body = %+v, want %+v", v, input)
+				}
+
+				// TODO: remove custom Accept header when this API fully launches
+				testHeader(t, r, "Accept", mediaTypeRequiredApprovingReviewsPreview)
+				fmt.Fprintf(w, `{
+					"required_status_checks":{
+						"strict":true,
+						"contexts":null,
+						"checks": []
+					},
+					"required_pull_request_reviews":{
+						"dismissal_restrictions":{
+							"users":[{
+								"id":3,
+								"login":"uu"
+							}],
+							"teams":[{
+								"id":4,
+								"slug":"tt"
+							}],
+							"apps":[{
+								"id":5,
+								"slug":"aa"
+							}]
+						},
+						"dismiss_stale_reviews":true,
+						"require_code_owner_reviews":true,
+						"bypass_pull_request_allowances": {
+							"users":[{"id":10,"login":"uuu"}],
+							"teams":[{"id":20,"slug":"ttt"}],
+							"apps":[{"id":30,"slug":"aaa"}]
+						}
+					},
+					"restrictions":{
+						"users":[{"id":1,"login":"u"}],
+						"teams":[{"id":2,"slug":"t"}],
+						"apps":[{"id":3,"slug":"a"}]
+					}
+				}`)
+			})
+
+			ctx := context.Background()
+			protection, _, err := client.Repositories.UpdateBranchProtection(ctx, "o", "r", test.branch, input)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Errorf("Repositories.UpdateBranchProtection returned error: %v", err)
+			}
+
+			want := &Protection{
+				RequiredStatusChecks: &RequiredStatusChecks{
+					Strict: true,
+					Checks: &[]*RequiredStatusCheck{},
+				},
+				RequiredPullRequestReviews: &PullRequestReviewsEnforcement{
+					DismissStaleReviews: true,
+					DismissalRestrictions: &DismissalRestrictions{
+						Users: []*User{
+							{Login: String("uu"), ID: Int64(3)},
+						},
+						Teams: []*Team{
+							{Slug: String("tt"), ID: Int64(4)},
+						},
+						Apps: []*App{
+							{Slug: String("aa"), ID: Int64(5)},
+						},
+					},
+					RequireCodeOwnerReviews: true,
+					BypassPullRequestAllowances: &BypassPullRequestAllowances{
+						Users: []*User{
+							{Login: String("uuu"), ID: Int64(10)},
+						},
+						Teams: []*Team{
+							{Slug: String("ttt"), ID: Int64(20)},
+						},
+						Apps: []*App{
+							{Slug: String("aaa"), ID: Int64(30)},
+						},
+					},
+				},
+				Restrictions: &BranchRestrictions{
+					Users: []*User{
+						{Login: String("u"), ID: Int64(1)},
+					},
+					Teams: []*Team{
+						{Slug: String("t"), ID: Int64(2)},
+					},
+					Apps: []*App{
+						{Slug: String("a"), ID: Int64(3)},
+					},
+				},
+			}
+			if !cmp.Equal(protection, want) {
+				t.Errorf("Repositories.UpdateBranchProtection returned %+v, want %+v", protection, want)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestRepositoriesService_UpdateBranchProtection_StrictNoChecks(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		branch  string
@@ -1844,7 +2165,7 @@ func TestRepositoriesService_UpdateBranchProtection_StrictNoChecks(t *testing.T)
 			want := &Protection{
 				RequiredStatusChecks: &RequiredStatusChecks{
 					Strict:   true,
-					Contexts: []string{},
+					Contexts: &[]string{},
 				},
 				RequiredPullRequestReviews: &PullRequestReviewsEnforcement{
 					DismissStaleReviews: true,
@@ -2082,8 +2403,8 @@ func TestRepositoriesService_GetRequiredStatusChecks(t *testing.T) {
 
 			want := &RequiredStatusChecks{
 				Strict:   true,
-				Contexts: []string{"x", "y", "z"},
-				Checks: []*RequiredStatusCheck{
+				Contexts: &[]string{"x", "y", "z"},
+				Checks: &[]*RequiredStatusCheck{
 					{
 						Context: "x",
 					},
@@ -2202,8 +2523,8 @@ func TestRepositoriesService_UpdateRequiredStatusChecks_Contexts(t *testing.T) {
 
 			want := &RequiredStatusChecks{
 				Strict:   true,
-				Contexts: []string{"continuous-integration"},
-				Checks: []*RequiredStatusCheck{
+				Contexts: &[]string{"continuous-integration"},
+				Checks: &[]*RequiredStatusCheck{
 					{
 						Context: "continuous-integration",
 					},
@@ -2300,8 +2621,8 @@ func TestRepositoriesService_UpdateRequiredStatusChecks_Checks(t *testing.T) {
 
 			want := &RequiredStatusChecks{
 				Strict:   true,
-				Contexts: []string{"continuous-integration"},
-				Checks: []*RequiredStatusCheck{
+				Contexts: &[]string{"continuous-integration"},
+				Checks: &[]*RequiredStatusCheck{
 					{
 						Context: "continuous-integration",
 					},
diff --git a/test/integration/repos_test.go b/test/integration/repos_test.go
index 79e8cdfe9fb..9b32cc4a311 100644
--- a/test/integration/repos_test.go
+++ b/test/integration/repos_test.go
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ func TestRepositories_EditBranches(t *testing.T) {
 	protectionRequest := &github.ProtectionRequest{
 		RequiredStatusChecks: &github.RequiredStatusChecks{
 			Strict:   true,
-			Contexts: []string{"continuous-integration"},
+			Contexts: &[]string{"continuous-integration"},
 		},
 		RequiredPullRequestReviews: &github.PullRequestReviewsEnforcementRequest{
 			DismissStaleReviews: true,
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ func TestRepositories_EditBranches(t *testing.T) {
 	want := &github.Protection{
 		RequiredStatusChecks: &github.RequiredStatusChecks{
 			Strict:   true,
-			Contexts: []string{"continuous-integration"},
+			Contexts: &[]string{"continuous-integration"},
 		},
 		RequiredPullRequestReviews: &github.PullRequestReviewsEnforcement{
 			DismissStaleReviews:          true,