Scotland
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The For Women Scotland case at the Supreme Court
A one-page summary of what the case is about, why it matters, and what the possible outcomes are. Download a low-resolution version to share on WhatsApp.
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For Women Scotland in the Supreme Court
What was the case about? For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers was heard by the Supreme Court on 26th and 27th November 2024. It concerned the effect of the Gender Recognition Act 2004 on the definition of “woman” and “man” for the purposes of the Equality Act...
3rd December 2024
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Sex matters at the Supreme Court!
An important legal case will be heard in the UK Supreme Court this week (on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th November) about the meaning of woman (and man) in the Equality Act. This is the third round in an ongoing legal fight by the campaign group For Women Scotland...
25th November 2024
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Written intervention to the Supreme Court on the definition of sex
Sex Matters, represented by Ben Cooper KC and David Welsh, is intervening in the appeal in the case of For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers, which will be heard by the Supreme Court on 26th and 27th November 2024. We argue that “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 should...
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Briefing on our intervention to the Supreme Court on the definition of sex
This six-page briefing looks at our key arguments why “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 should be construed as referring to biological sex. Sex Matters, represented by Ben Cooper KC and David Welsh, is intervening in the appeal in the case of For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers, which...
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The standards crisis in Rape Crisis
The board of Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre (ERCC) has decided that “the time is right for a change of leadership”. Mridul Wadhwa, the charismatic, sari-wearing transgender male who convinced it to appoint him “as a woman” into the top job, is out, and ERCC says it is dealing with...
22nd September 2024
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A Woman’s Guide to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021
A brief guide to what the Act says, and other relevant legal references, explaining when you are entitled to free legal advice, and ways to find it.
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“Misgendering” and the Scottish Hate Crime Act
On 1st April, the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act came into force. The law has generated headlines across the world, mainly due to concerns about its potential impact on freedom of speech; in particular, gender-critical speech. One of the most controversial aspects is the extension of so-called...
5th April 2024
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Sex and the law in December 2023 – a briefing
Briefing from Sex Matters for a meeting of the Women and Equalities Committee on 13th December 2023
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Section 35 appeal rejected
The Court of Session has rejected the appeal by the Scottish Government against the UK Government’s Section 35 order to prevent the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill becoming law. The Scottish Government’s argument that the Secretary of State for Scotland “acted irrationally by failing to acquaint himself with the...
8th December 2023
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It’s time to act
Following the judgment in the For Women Scotland appeal, it is time for the government to act.
2nd November 2023
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Court rules that GRC changes sex for the Equality Act
For Women Scotland’s appeal against the Haldane judgment that a GRC changes a person’s sex in relation to the Equality Act has been rejected. In the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers CSIH 37 the Court of Session has handed down a judgment that: “a person...
1st November 2023
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Submission (written intervention)
Part of Sex Matters’ submission to the Judicial Review of the revised statutory guidance produced by the Scottish Ministers under Section 7 of the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018 – see also Authorities and Productions.
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Productions (second inventory of productions for the applicant)
Part of Sex Matters’ submission to the Judicial Review of the revised statutory guidance produced by the Scottish Ministers under Section 7 of the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018 – see also Submission and Authorities.
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Authorities (list of authorities for the applicant)
Part of Sex Matters’ submission to the Judicial Review of the revised statutory guidance produced by the Scottish Ministers under Section 7 of the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018 – see also Submission and Productions.
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Sex Matters to intervene in For Women Scotland case
Sex Matters has been given permission, as a human-rights organisation, to intervene in the For Women Scotland case being heard by the Court of Session Inner House in Edinburgh on Wednesday 4th October. Our submission will urge the court to consider whether Lady Haldane’s interpretation of the meaning of...
2nd October 2023
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Sex Matters in Edinburgh
Friday 16th June 7pm to 11pm SOLD OUT! If you bought a ticket, please check your inbox for an email from [email protected] which has all the details about the venue. Sex Matters is coming to Edinburgh! We promised we’d hold an event in the constituency that got the most...
9th May 2023
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Charlie Falconer’s testimony
The Women and Equalities Committee held an evidence session on 31st January on the Gender Recognition Reform Bill and the Equality Act. It featured Robin White, Barrister at Old Square Chambers; Naomi Cunningham, Barrister at Outer Temple Chambers (and Sex Matters’ Chair); Dr Michael Foran Senior Fellow, Policy Exchange...
2nd February 2023
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Trans law is a ‘magic key’ for predators
Mark McLaughlin for The Times
Sex Matters Chair Naomi Cunningham is the legal expert quoted.
A legal expert has warned Scotland’s controversial gender laws will provide men “who cross-dress for erotic purposes” with a “magic certificate” to access women’s spaces. -
Female inmates do not trust Nicola Sturgeon to decide who is sent to female prisons
Ex-Cornton Vale Prison inmate Amanda Benson talks to Times Radio.
“Putting a double rapist into a female prison, I don't know what risk assessments they're doing to have these men in the prison.” -
Minister defiant over trans rapist Isla Bryson
Mark McLaughlin for The Times
Maya Forstater is extensively quoted. The article was later revised.
The Scottish justice secretary has refused to stop the imprisonment of rapists in women’s prisons after a party colleague accused a double sex offender of “gaming the system”. -
The UK government is right to challenge the GRR Bill
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack has made an order under Section 35 of the Scotland Act 1998 to prevent the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill from receiving Royal Assent, and Sex Matters welcomes this. We are particularly pleased that the government has recognised that changing both the size and...
17th January 2023
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Statement on the UK government’s decision to block the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill
We are very pleased that the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Scotland have decided to use their constitutional powers to stop the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill from going to royal assent. As we wrote in our briefing on the Bill and its implications for the...
16th January 2023
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Stonewall is scaremongering: write to your MP
Stonewall has been sending out alarmist emails to MPs which misrepresent the law. On 9th January Kemi Badenoch, the Minister for Women and Equalities, announced that the government would be updating its list of approved overseas countries and territories for gender-recognition certificates. She explained: “There are now some countries and territories...
13th January 2023
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Why Scotland’s self-ID bill should be referred to the Supreme Court
The UK Government has to decide what to do about Scotland’s Gender Recognition Bill by 19th January. There has been quite a bit of legal commentary about using the power of Section 35 of the Scotland Act (read Michael Foran’s and Joshua Rozenberg’s pieces). Scottish Secretary Alister Jack has...
6th January 2023
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Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill and the UK
This paper, prepared by Sex Matters, considers whether the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill (GRR Bill) is within the competence of the Scottish Parliament, examines the bill’s potential adverse effects and sets out considerations for a challenge under Section 33 or Section 35 of the Scotland Act.
