In a decisive and unanimous judgment, the UK Supreme Court has affirmed that the terms "woman" and "sex" in the Equality Act 2010 refer to biological sex, not gender identity. This ruling brings much-needed clarity to the legal definition of "woman" and reinforces the protection of single-sex spaces.​

The case was brought forward by the campaign group For Women Scotland, challenging the Scottish Government's guidance that included transgender women with Gender Recognition Certificates (GRCs) in the definition of "woman" for public board appointments. The Supreme Court's decision overturns previous lower court rulings, emphasizing that legal definitions must align with biological realities.​

Deputy President of the Supreme Court, Lord Hodge, stated:​ "The unanimous decision of this court is that the terms 'women' and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex."

A government spokesperson said, "This ruling brings clarity and confidence, for women and service providers such as hospitals, refuges, and sports clubs. Single-sex spaces are protected in law and will always be protected by this government."​

While the court clarified that this decision does not remove protections from transgender individuals under the Equality Act, it firmly establishes that the legal definition of "woman" pertains to biological sex. 

This ruling is a significant step in ensuring that women's rights and spaces are safeguarded under UK law.​