UK court rules trans women can use women’s toilets, upholds biological sex definition in workplace exceptions.

The UK High Court has ruled that transgender women may legally use women’s toilets in public spaces, rejecting a legal challenge by the Good Law Project against the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s withdrawn guidance. The court found the guidance, which advised restricting access based on biological sex, was lawful and did not require service providers to exclude trans women. However, it upheld that employers may restrict access to single-sex facilities in workplaces based on biological sex, allowing use of gender-neutral or third spaces. The decision, based on the Supreme Court’s 2025 ruling defining “woman” and “sex” as biological, emphasizes common sense and fairness over rigid interpretation. The Good Law Project plans to appeal, criticizing the ruling for undermining trans rights and creating legal uncertainty. The EHRC welcomed the judgment, affirming its role in upholding equality law.