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15 October 2025

EHRC Withdraws Interim Guidance on Equality Act Sex Definition

Legal Trans UK

The Equality and Human Rights Commission withdrew its controversial interim guidance on the meaning of 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010, published in April 2025 following the For Women Scotland Supreme Court ruling. The guidance had faced criticism from trans organisations and a judicial review from the Good Law Project. The EHRC directed organisations to seek specialist legal advice while its updated Code of Practice awaited parliamentary approval.

Impact & Significance

The withdrawal left a significant guidance vacuum for employers and service providers trying to implement the Supreme Court ruling, highlighting the deep uncertainty in this area of equality law.

Reference Record

Date
15 October 2025
Era
2020-present
Sources
2

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Topic Guides

Equality Act 2010 and EHRC Guidance The Equality Act 2010 sets the legal framework, while EHRC guidance and statutory Codes of Practice shape how organisations interpret duties in services, public functions and associations.

Questions This Event Helps Answer

Q What is the Gender Recognition Act 2004? The Gender Recognition Act 2004 created a UK legal process for some trans people to obtain recognition of their acquired gender. Q How did equality law change public services and workplaces? It moved LGBTQ+ equality into services, employment, schools and official data rather than leaving it only as criminal-law reform.

Related Events

2025 UK Supreme Court Ruling on 'Sex' in the Equality Act 2010 2025 EHRC Issues Interim Guidance on Equality Act 'Sex' Definition 2025 Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson Begins Term as EHRC Chair 2026 Good Law Project v EHRC: High Court Upholds Interim Guidance 2026 EHRC Approved Draft Services Code Laid Before Parliament

Sources

UK Supreme Court ruling on the meaning of sex in the Equality Act: our work organisation Equality and Human Rights Commission bevanbrittan.com legacy reference bevanbrittan.com
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